Spoon Rack
1730–75
Medium
Yellow poplar and paint
Dimensions
55.9 × 20 × 5.1 cm (22 × 7 7/8 × 2 in.)
Classification
wood
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
56175
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts the Americas collection, this Spoon Rack, crafted between 1730 and 1775 from yellow poplar wood and paint, exemplifies everyday artistry from colonial America. Measuring a modest 22 × 7⅞ × 2 inches, it was designed to hang on a kitchen wall, neatly displaying wooden spoons and utensils essential for daily cooking. Yellow poplar, a lightweight and abundant hardwood native to eastern North America, was a practical choice for such household items, prized for its workability and fine grain that took paint beautifully. The rack's painted surface hints...