Spoon 1800 - 1830

This is a spoon, made by E. Whitehouse, and currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Notice the diamond motif that frames the handle. The diamond, a shape so simple yet profound, appears throughout human history, from ancient geometric patterns to modern art. In some cultures it represents enlightenment, and in others, knowledge. Think of the lozenges you see in prehistoric cave paintings, or the diamond patterns woven into textiles from around the world. What primordial impulse drives us to create and recreate this shape? Perhaps it is related to the "horror vacui," the fear of empty spaces that leads us to fill surfaces with patterns, as well as a symbol of power and wealth. The diamond, then, becomes a vessel for our collective memories and fears. It is an enduring symbol, constantly resurfacing, always evolving, and forever charged with the weight of human experience.