Silver Punch Ladle

Art Historical Context

Behold the exquisite *Silver Punch Ladle*, meticulous rendering by artist Harold Smith, created around 1936. This graphite and colored pencil drawing on paper (29.5 x 22.2 cm) captures delicate form of a 13 1/8-inch-long silver punch ladle, its graceful handle and functional bowl with precise shading and subtle hues that evoke the metal's luster. Part of the renowned Index of American Design (IAD), this work stems from a Works Progress Administration (WPA project during the Great Depression (1935–1942). Commissioned to document America's rich heritage of crafts and decorative arts, the IAD employed artists like Smith to produce over 15,000 detailed studies of everyday objects, from quilts to furniture. Smith's technique highlights the ladle's craftsmanship, preserving a snapshot of colonial-era silverwork traditions amid economic hardship. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's CG-W department, this piece underscores the cultural value of punch ladles in American social life—essential for colonial gatherings and celebrations. Through its realistic style, it bridges artistry and history, inviting us to appreciate the ingenuity of American design.

About the Artist

Harold Smith · 1855–present

Harold Smith is a Kansas City, Kansas-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, collage, mixed media, performance, video, sound, and assemblage. Born and raised in the area, he has worked as an educator for over three decades, including as a computer science and art teacher, before focusing full-time on his studio practice. His work draws from the social commentary tradition of...