Tea Spoon
1810
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
L. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 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
33.120.456
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver teaspoon, crafted in 1810 by the American firm Browne and Seal, offers a charming glimpse into early nineteenth-century domestic life. Measuring just over six inches, the spoon exemplifies the refined yet practical tableware favored in American homes during the young nation's formative years. As tea drinking became a cherished social ritual, such pieces combined utility with subtle beauty, often passed down through families as markers of taste and hospitality. Silver held particular significance in this era, valued for its durability and ability to be intricately worked by...