Bowdoin College Museum of Art

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1963.44

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Sugar Tongs

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Artist

Hester Bateman

Title

Sugar Tongs

Creation Date

1786

Century

18th century

Dimensions

5 1/4 in. (13.33 cm.)

Object Type

silver

Creation Place

Europe, England

Medium and Support

silver

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Sylvia E. Ross

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

1963.44

The West’s bourgeoning tea-drinking culture necessitated specialized forms to accommodate all the necessary products for this social ritual: porcelain cups and saucers, and silver spoons, teapots, tea caddies, and sugar bowls. While the wares on display concealed the goods produced for consumption, the labor involved in sourcing these goods should not be ignored. Plantations and involuntary or enslaved labor across Asia and the Caribbean was needed to extract, process, and supply vast quantities of tea and granulated sugar across Europe and the colonies.