Figure-top spoon 1750 - 1775

The silver Figure-top spoon was created by Ate Scheverstein, a silversmith active in the 18th century. During this period, the elaborate design and precious metal speak to the increasing importance placed on dining as a display of wealth and social standing. The intricate figures adorning the handle—a cluster of horses—add an element of narrative and whimsy. Spoons like this were often part of a larger set, used by the elite, and passed down through generations as heirlooms. Consider how the ownership and use of such an object reinforced hierarchies of class, gender and race. While these luxurious items were enjoyed by some, vast numbers were excluded from such material comforts. The spoon, thus, becomes a symbol of the deep inequalities that characterized the era, inviting us to reflect on how objects can both embody beauty and perpetuate social divides.