Section of a spoon handle 1782 - 1783

This is a detail of a silver spoon handle, created by the French silversmith Nicolas Gonthier between 1782-1783. The handle is adorned with decorative engravings, and the artist's initials, "N.G.", are visible on the side. This artwork, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to Gonthier’s mastery of the silversmith's craft during the late 18th century, and exemplifies the decorative artistry prevalent in French silverware of the period.