Souvenir spoon
Unknown Artist
late 19th century
Medium
Silver-gilt and enamel
Dimensions
Length: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
European
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Sir William H. Redding, in memory of his wife, 1908
Accession Number
08.245.76
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate **Souvenir Spoon**, crafted in the late 19th century by an unknown European artist, exemplifies the exquisite metalwork of its era. Measuring just 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length, it is fashioned from silver-gilt—a luxurious technique where a thin layer of gold is applied over silver for a radiant, durable finish—and enriched with vibrant enamel decorations. The tags hint at motifs of buildings and coats of arms adorning its handle or bowl, likely commemorating a cherished European landmark or noble lineage, blending architectural pride with heraldic symbolism. Souvenir spoons surg...