Spoon 1797 - 1800

This is a silver spoon, measuring about 8 3/4 inches long, crafted by John Burger in the late 18th or early 19th century. Born in New York, Burger navigated a society deeply marked by race, class, and burgeoning capitalism. Silverware during this era wasn't merely functional; it was a potent symbol of status and belonging. The spoon, engraved with ornate details, speaks to the hierarchies that defined social life at the time. Who owned this spoon, and what did it mean for them to possess such an item? Silver objects like this were part of a complex economic system, one which often relied on exploitation and dispossession. Contemplating this spoon, we're invited to reflect on how material culture encodes power and identity, echoing across generations. It is a reminder of the stories—both celebrated and silenced—embedded within the objects that shape our lives.