Medicine spoon (?) 17th century

This so-called medicine spoon was crafted by Michael Lamb in the early 17th century. Fashioned from gleaming silver, the spoon's form is both functional and decorative. The process of silversmithing involves significant handwork. Silver is melted, shaped, and then meticulously hammered to achieve the desired form. Looking closely, you'll notice delicate engravings of floral patterns that embellish the bowl, evidence of painstaking labor. The handle is slender and refined, ending in a knop, perhaps meant to be gripped comfortably. Such craftsmanship signifies both skill and time. In its era, a silver spoon would have been a precious object, reflective of wealth and status. Though this may have been used to administer medicine, silver itself was considered to have healing properties, embodying beliefs tied to health, status, and the value of skilled labor. Considering this object, we begin to appreciate that art is more than just aesthetics; it’s about the story of its making, and the values it embodies.