Creamer
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Louise B. Scott
Accession Number
1953-13-5
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant creamer, crafted by the Philadelphia silversmith firm R & W. Wilson between 1825 and 1846, exemplifies the fine metalwork produced in early 19th-century America. during a vibrant period of American craftsmanship, R. & W. Wilson operated in Philadelphia, a hub for silversmithing that rivaled European centers. Such creamers were essential components of tea services, reflecting the growing sophistication of middle- and upper-class households in young republic, where tea rituals symbolized refinement and hospitality. Though the exact medium remains under study—likely silver or a silv...