Salt Spoon
1800–1830
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
L. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Classification
Spoon
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. William E. Goff, 1919
Accession Number
19.179.2
Art Historical Context
Martin Benedict’s Salt Spoon, crafted between 1800 and 1830, exemplifies the refined yet practical silverwork produced in early America. Measuring just 3¾ inches, this delicate utensil designed for serving salt the table—an everyday luxury in households of the period. simple form highlights the silversmith’s skill in shaping and finishing silver, a material prized for its durability and luminous beauty. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing, the spoon reflects the growing sophistication of American decorative arts during the young nation’s formative decades. Silver objects like t...