Ladle 1767 - 1768

This is a silver ladle, crafted by Nicolas Collier in the 18th century. Silver, prized for its sheen and malleability, elevates this everyday utensil to an object of luxury. Consider the processes involved: mining, smelting, alloying, hammering, and polishing. Each stage demands specialized knowledge and labor, reflecting a complex network of production and consumption. The silversmith's skill is evident in the ladle's seamless form and delicate ornamentation. Notice the shell motif at the handle's crest, typical of the Rococo style. Such refinement speaks to a culture of courtly display, where even the simplest act of serving soup becomes a performance of status. But beyond the aristocratic dining table, this ladle hints at the broader social context of its creation - the exploitation of natural resources, and the division of labor that underpinned the wealth of the elite. By attending to the material and making of this object, we can appreciate its aesthetic qualities and its entanglement with wider histories of labor, politics, and consumption.