Set of six spoons 1766 - 1767

These silver spoons, crafted by Jacques Anthiaume, are adorned with symbols speaking of heritage and identity. Note the cartouches gracing the handles, shields of status, echoing emblems seen on medieval armory. They are declarations of lineage, akin to the family crests passed down through generations. One of these features a shell motif. The shell symbol is powerful; pilgrims carried scallop shells as badges, signs of journeys to sacred places. It reappears throughout Renaissance art, adorning the niche of Venus, goddess of love, beauty and desire. The shell evokes both religious devotion and sensual allure. Consider the spoon itself. A humble tool, yes, but also a vessel. It bridges the gap between nourishment and the body. In a deeper sense, it embodies the life-sustaining forces of the Earth, and reminds us how symbols persist, adapt, and ultimately, connect us to the continuum of human experience.