Spoon
ca. 1810
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
L. 9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm)
Classification
Spoon
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater, 1933
Accession Number
33.120.429
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver spoon, crafted by American silversmith Thomas Kin around 1810, exemplifies the domestic artistry of the early American Republic. Measuring 9 3/8 inches in length, it reflects the period's growing demand for finely wrought tableware among the emerging middle and upper classes. Silver, a luxurious medium symbolizing wealth and hospitality, was meticulously hand-hammered and often adorned with subtle chasing or engraving techniques, showcasing the silversmith's skill in functionality with aesthetic appeal. In the historical context of post-Revolutionary America, objects like ...