Table Spoon 1775 - 1800

This tablespoon was crafted by Daniel Van Voorhis, a silversmith active in New York during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Note the diamond shape stamped near the handle; a maker’s mark signifying craftsmanship and ownership, but which resonates with something deeper, more primordial. Geometric forms, like the lozenge, echo across millennia from ancient Cycladic figurines to Renaissance emblems, symbolizing hearth and home. Consider how a simple tool embodies the rituals of nourishment, echoing ancient feasts and communal gatherings. The spoon itself, a humble vessel, transcends its utilitarian purpose, linking us to shared human experiences. It is a testament to our enduring need for sustenance and connection across time. The resonance of such a mundane object allows us to consider how it taps into the collective memory of nourishment and domesticity.