Tablespoon and Teaspoons

Born in the Virgin Islands, Peter Bentzon was the only recorded free Black silversmith of his era in the Americas. He learned the silversmith’s trade in Philadelphia between 1799 and 1806. Next, his travels took him to the Danish West Indies island of St. Croix, where he also established a silversmith business. For the duration of his life, he traveled between Philadelphia and St. Croix, crossing the color line: records in Philadelphia recorded him as white, while records in St. Croix recorded him as biracial. His work, sophisticated and detailed, was sought after by wealthy members of colonial society. His sojourns highlight interconnections between race and running a successful business.