Funeral Spoon 1670 - 1730

This is a silver "Funeral Spoon" made by John Coney, a prominent silversmith in colonial Boston, around the late 17th or early 18th century. In this period, objects like this spoon took on a powerful significance in mourning rituals. This spoon would have been part of a larger commemorative practice deeply embedded in the social and religious customs of early America. These customs reflected a society grappling with mortality but they also served to reinforce social bonds. The spoon also speaks to the economic landscape of the time. Silver objects were markers of status and wealth, reflecting a family's position within the hierarchical structure of colonial society. The spoon isn’t just a utensil, it’s a symbol of remembrance, status, and the complex interplay between life, death, and community.