Cann

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art, *Cann* is a finely crafted silver drinking vessel by New York silversmith Edmond, dating to around 1760–85. Measuring just over 5 inches in diameter weighing a substantial 14 ounces, this exemplifies the high-quality domestic silver produced in colonial America. Its graceful proportions— with a lip diameter of 3¼ inches and a footed base spanning 3⅝ inches—suggest it was designed for both functionality and display, likely used for serving beverages like ale or punch in affluent households. Milne, active in New York during the Revolutionary era, represented the skilled artisan class that blended British influences with emerging American identity. Silver objects like this cann were status symbols, showcasing masterful techniques such as chasing, engraving, and seaming to create durable, lustrous forms. The generous weight and precise dimensions highlight the material's purity and the silversmith's expertise, reflecting economic prosperity amid political upheaval. Gifted to the Met in 1940 by Mrs. J. Amory Haskell in memory of prominent families, *Cann* offers a tangible link to everyday luxury in early America, inviting visitors to ponder the lives of those who once raised it in toast.