Silver Spoon c. 1936

Horace Reina rendered this silver spoon with graphite on paper with great care. At first glance, it is merely a spoon, yet it carries a rich semiotic weight that echoes through the ages. The spoon, a humble instrument, is an emblem of sustenance and domesticity. Its symbolism branches far and wide: from ancient rituals to modern domesticity. Think of the cornucopia, overflowing with nourishment, or the Holy Grail, vessel of spiritual food. As civilisation developed so did the shapes and materials used to make utensils and the types of foods consumed. Note the initials "TWC" inscribed on the handle, these monograms were often etched onto silverware as a mark of ownership or as a symbol of familial legacy, a silent testament to the lives and stories intertwined with this object. How has the significance of the humble spoon changed over time and through history? What does the symbol of the spoon evoke in the subconscious?