Cann

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of colonial American silver with *Cann*, a delicate yet substantial drinking vessel crafted by silversmith S. Mars 1770. Standing at 5½ inches tall with a gently flared lip of nearly 3 inches in diameter and a sturdy foot measuring 3½ inches across, this piece weighs a hefty 11 ounces and 6 pennyweights (351.7 grams). compact, elegant form suggests it was designed for personal use, perhaps for serving wine, ale, or punch in a prosperous household. In the late 18th century, silverware like this embodied wealth and craftsmanship in pre-Revolutionary America. Silversmiths such as S. Mars worked by hand, hammering sheets of silver into shape, seaming, and likely adding subtle chasing or engraving—techniques that highlighted both functionality and artistry. Owned by the elite, these cans served as status symbols at social gatherings, blending European traditions with emerging American identity. Today, *Cann* graces The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, a bequest from collector Alphonso T. Clearwater in 1933. It offers a tangible glimpse into the skilled hands and cultured lives of colonial artisans, reminding us how everyday objects carried profound cultural weight.