Spoon 1750 - 1760

This silver spoon was made by Daniel Henchman, a silversmith active in Boston during the mid-18th century, a time of growing social and political unrest in the colonies. Consider how something as everyday as a spoon can reveal the intricate layers of colonial society. In a world increasingly defined by trade and commerce, owning silver objects like this spoon signified wealth and status. Skilled silversmiths like Henchman were not only craftsmen but also key players in the economic landscape, navigating a complex web of patronage and commerce. Family initials are engraved on the handle, indicating that this piece was meant to be cherished and passed down through generations. But let’s not forget the history of violence and dispossession upon which such domesticity was built. The spoon is a material reminder of the intertwined histories of colonialism, commerce, and the intimacies of daily life.