Spoon

Art Historical Context

This elegant silver spoon, crafted by American silversmith John Burger 1770 and 1800, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of late colonial and early Federal America. Measuring 9 1/8 inches in length, it hails from a time when silver tableware symbolized prosperity and social standing among the emerging nation's elite. Displayed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, it reflects the skilled metalworking traditions brought by European-trained artisans to the New World. Silver as a medium was prized for its durability, luster, and malleability, allowing makers like Burger to create...