Master spoon 1601 - 1602

This master spoon was crafted from silver, around the late 16th to early 17th century by the English silversmith William Cawdell. Cawdell's career coincided with a period of economic expansion and social stratification in England, where ornate silverware became a symbol of status. But this spoon, it's more than just a functional object. The design elevates it beyond simple utility. The ornamental details at the handle, speak to a culture deeply invested in aesthetics and social display. Master spoons like these would have been status symbols for affluent families and were often used at ceremonial occasions. While it reflects the social aspirations of the elite, it also subtly hints at the labor and resources extracted from the lower classes and colonized lands. Contemplating this spoon invites us to consider what it means to consume, to display wealth, and to participate, consciously or not, in systems of inequality. Its polished surface reflects not just light, but also the complex layers of history and power.