Spoon 1738 - 1750

This silver spoon was crafted by Johann Beckert V in Germany sometime in the latter half of the 18th century. At the time, elaborate silverware like this was an important marker of status and social class. It reflects the rise of a wealthy merchant class in German cities, and the growth of a culture of conspicuous consumption. Artisans like Beckert catered to the demand for luxury goods. The decorative flourishes on the handle, along with the material itself, communicate a clear message about the owner’s affluence and taste. When we study objects like this spoon, it's important to situate them in a wider social and economic context. By researching trade routes, sumptuary laws, and household inventories from the period, we can gain a better understanding of the social world that this object inhabited.