Table Spoon 1787 - 1790

This is an eight and seven-eighths inch long Table Spoon, made of silver by Stephen Emery, sometime in the late 18th century. Born in Massachusetts, Emery represents the burgeoning class of American silversmiths in the pre-industrial era. This spoon, a quotidian object elevated through craft, invites us to reflect on the intimacy of daily life during a revolutionary period. Silverware, often a symbol of wealth and status, was also deeply entwined with personal identity and family history. Imagine the hands that held this spoon, the meals it served, and the conversations it accompanied. The engraved initials on the handle tell a silent story of ownership and legacy, hinting at the values and social structures of the time. It’s a reminder that even the simplest objects can carry complex narratives about who we are and where we come from.