Creampot 1779 - 1783

This creampot was made by Elias Davis, a silversmith active in Boston during the mid-18th century. It’s crafted from sterling silver, a material prized for its malleability and lustrous finish. Davis likely employed techniques like hammering, raising, and soldering to shape the creampot. Silver is worked cold, gradually coaxed into form. Each hammer blow would have work-hardened the material, requiring annealing--that is, heating--to make the metal pliable again. The process has imbued the artwork with social and cultural significance, indicating not just wealth but also refined taste. The delicacy of the beaded rim and the elegantly curved handle showcase Davis's mastery of his craft, reflecting the period’s emphasis on skilled labor and attention to detail. Consider the wider context: the sourcing of silver, the economics of skilled labor, and the rituals of consumption in colonial America. This creampot invites us to consider the intersections of artistry, industry, and society.