Sadware is a collaborative project that explores familial inheritance, class, and consumerism through investigations into the material history of pewter in the United States. Introduced to the American colonies in the 17th century, pewter reached the height of its prevalence in the early 19th century, attaining a level of ubiquity in tableware comparable to plastic in the present day. We are interested in the many ways the story of pewter relates to American history and culture, particularly in its ability to conjure notions of the Founding Father era – and a very specific flavor of American nostalgia. 

Throughout the centuries, pewter has experienced cycles of popularity and discard, serving as both coveted commodity and lamentable passé. While once pervasive, pewter is but one of many materials lost in a sea of stuff which floods a system of exchange. As attitudes about what is valuable and important change across generations, the bequeathing of family objects creates tension. Embedded in inherited objects are stories about how we define our lives as Americans, but as tastes change, so do our notions of preciousness. What is an heirloom and what becomes thrift store fodder?

Upcoming Exhibition: April 1 – July 4, 2026
@ The Stenton House
4601 N 18th St, Philadelphia, PA 19140
In tandem with Radical Americana and the Philadelphia Clay Studio