Seven Table Spoons 1752

Editor: These are two of Ebenezer Coker’s "Seven Table Spoons," and they feel deeply symbolic to me, even though they’re everyday objects. What layers of meaning do you see in these spoons? Curator: Well, consider the spoon as a primal tool, conveying sustenance. In many cultures, sharing a meal, and therefore using a spoon, is a powerful symbol of community and trust. Notice the engraved crest. Editor: Yes, I see the crest! What does that signify? Curator: The crest elevates these spoons from mere utensils to emblems of lineage and social standing. What does the repetition of a set of spoons suggest to you? Editor: Perhaps a ritual, a consistent gathering around a table, a family's history told through repeated actions. Thanks, I'm seeing these spoons in a completely new light. Curator: Indeed, objects like these become vessels of memory, each use layering meaning onto their form.