Silver Spoon c. 1938

This drawing of silver spoons was made by Kalamian Walton. The choice of silver as a medium is revealing, its inherent qualities – its sheen, its association with wealth and status – are all brought to the fore. Consider how these spoons were made. The silversmith would have started with a raw ingot of silver, carefully hammering and shaping it, annealing and polishing it until it achieved its final form. The spoons are functional objects, of course, but they are also carriers of social meaning. Note the engraved monograms, speaking to ownership and identity. The very phrase "born with a silver spoon" speaks to the powerful role objects play in defining social class. By focusing on the materials and processes of making, we can see how even the simplest object can be a window into broader social and cultural issues. It challenges our traditional distinctions between the applied and the fine arts.