Peter Bentzon: A Pioneer of Caribbean Silversmithing Peter Bentzon (c. 1783–c. 1850) stands as a singular figure in American art history—specifically, the realm of decorative arts—representing one of the earliest documented instances of silversmithing undertaken by individuals of African descent during the formative years of the United States. Born on St. Thomas Island, part of the Danish West Indies (now U.S. Virgin Islands), Bentzon’s life trajectory exemplifies the complexities inherent in navigating racial boundaries within a burgeoning nation grappling with its identity. His story is in…