Tablespoon 1780

This is a tablespoon, made of silver by John Pittar sometime around the turn of the 19th century. Silverware like this begins its life as a flat ingot of silver, which is then heated and hammered into the desired shape. Notice the spoon's smooth, reflective surface, a direct result of the silversmith's careful work. This wasn't just about making a functional tool. The delicate beaded edge along the handle, and the engraved crest, elevate this piece to something more. The value of silverware like this lies in its material cost and the intense hand labor required to shape and decorate it. Silver objects like this reflect the inequalities of the society in which they were made. This is an everyday object made precious through craft, and a marker of status for those wealthy enough to use it.