Plate

Art Historical Context

Behold this elegant pewter plate crafted by Samuel Kilbourn an American artisan active between 1814 and 1839. Measuring 7 3/4 inches in diameter, this simple yet refined piece exemplifies the functional beauty of early 19th-century American metalwork. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it was generously gifted by Mrs. Stephen S. Fitz in 1962, a slice of everyday elegance from the Federal and early Antebellum eras. Pewter, an alloy primarily of tin with traces of antimony and copper, was a staple material for middle-class tableware in the young United States. More affordable than silver yet durable and gleaming when polished, it bridged utility and aspiration. Kilbourn's plate reflects the skilled handiwork of regional pewterers, who often marked their wares to build local reputations. Such objects graced dining tables during a time of national growth, symbolizing American self-sufficiency and craftsmanship amid expanding trade. Today, this unassuming plate invites us to appreciate the artistry in the ordinary—how humble household items embodied cultural pride and technical mastery. A testament to America's decorative arts heritage, it reminds visitors of the lives and labors behind our shared history.