Table Spoon 1780 - 1800

This is a silver tablespoon, over eight inches long, made by John Burger, a New York silversmith who died young in 1807. What can a simple spoon tell us about the social conditions that shape artistic production? Silverware in Federal America was a potent symbol of status, and it reflected the new republic's economic growth and social stratification. While it might seem like a humble object, it was a luxury item crafted and purchased by a select few. Silversmiths like Burger operated within a complex economic system, relying on networks of suppliers, artisans, and patrons. The design of the spoon, with its neoclassical lines, speaks to the aesthetic tastes of the time and the influence of European design trends. To fully appreciate this tablespoon, historians would delve into period inventories, account books, and other documentary sources to understand its value and context. By studying the material culture of the past, we can gain valuable insights into the lives and values of those who came before us.