Spoon 1770 - 1800

This silver spoon was crafted by Saunders Pitman in the eighteenth century and is now held in the Metropolitan Museum. Notice the clean, elegant lines that define its form. The bowl transitions smoothly into a slender handle that flares out to a subtle point, almost like a carefully considered calligraphic stroke. The spoon’s design is deceptively simple. The handle is engraved with geometric patterns, contained within borders, that contrast with the smooth, reflective surface of the bowl. These small details engage with a larger discourse about social class and identity; they add sophistication to what would otherwise be a rather ordinary object. The initials “A L” at the spoon’s end operate as a signifier of personal history and ownership. In its function and design, the spoon is more than a mere tool, it’s a study in form and identity. It is a quiet testament to the cultural values of its time, inviting ongoing interpretation and appreciation.