Section of a spoon handle 1776

This is a section of a silver spoon handle, made by Jean-Joseph Gravelle sometime between 1730 and 1810. It's a fragment, really; a reminder of the opulence enjoyed by some during the tumultuous years leading up to and following the French Revolution. Consider the weight of this silver in your hand, the cool touch of it against your skin. Who was Gravelle making this for? What kind of access did they have? Imagine the meals it served, the hands that held it. Silverware like this was not just functional; it was a symbol of status and power. The craft of the silversmith was integral to expressing social hierarchy, and therefore exclusion. This small piece speaks volumes about the relationship between luxury, labor, and the vast disparities in wealth.