Spoon 1630 - 1665

This silver spoon was made by Giert Reber in 1683, and it’s a beautiful example of the silversmith’s craft. The spoon’s form is remarkably simple, but its material tells a different story. Silver is a precious metal, and in the 17th century, it was a sign of wealth and status. This spoon would have been used by someone of means, likely in a formal dining setting. Look closely, and you’ll see the engraved decoration on the bowl of the spoon. This is where the maker’s skill really shines. The intricate details would have taken hours of painstaking work, using specialized tools to cut into the surface of the metal. The amount of work involved in making this spoon tells us something about the value that was placed on craftsmanship at the time. Ultimately, this spoon reminds us that even everyday objects can be works of art. By paying attention to the materials, the making, and the context in which they were created, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultures that produced them.