Set of 24 Teaspoons c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have a set of 24 teaspoons by Moses Morse, an artist who passed away quite young. The spoons are silver, and they seem to have been used, maybe even worn down over time. What can you tell me about these teaspoons? Curator: Well, looking at these spoons, I'm drawn to consider the labor involved in their creation and use. Silver was a valuable material. Who would have commissioned, crafted, owned, and used these? What does the wear and tear tell us about their everyday use, their role in social rituals around consumption? Editor: So, it's less about the artist's intention and more about the spoon's journey through society? Curator: Precisely. The spoons are more than just objects; they are artifacts embedded in a network of production, consumption, and social practices. Editor: I never thought of teaspoons having such a complex story to tell. Curator: Absolutely. Every object has a history woven into the fabric of society.