Sugar Bowl & Sugar or Sweetmeat Spoon

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Sugar Bowl, 1795

Porcelain

As a result of increased sugar production, sugar bowls became popular pieces of tableware. This porcelain bowl belonged to First Lady Martha Washington. It is symbolic, decorated with her initials, the fifteen U.S. states at the time, and other patriotic imagery. The Washingtons likely used this china service at the President’s House in Philadelphia and may have displayed it in public spaces alongside other fine tableware, exhibiting their wealth, worldliness, and patriotism to guests dining at their home. It is also important to remember that these sugary dishes were prepared and served by enslaved workers including the Washingtons’ talented cook, Hercules.

Bruce White for White House Historical Association

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Sugar or Sweetmeat Spoon, ca. 1809-1819

Francois-Dominique Naudin

Gilded Silver

This spoon, used at the White House during Martin Van Buren’s presidency, was made for sugar. The creation of cutlery and tableware specifically for sugar is a testament to its popularity in America, made possible by enslaved laborers in the Atlantic World. Meanwhile, four enslaved people are recorded as living in Van Buren’s White House; they may have assisted with the president’s busy schedule of entertaining by polishing silver like this, serving guests at meals, or preparing sugared beverages or food in the kitchen.

White House Collection/White House Historical Association

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About this Gallery

White House objects can help us better understand enslaved labor in the Atlantic World, used for centuries to produce popular commodities and consumer goods.