Puritan spoon 1652 - 1653

Stephen Venables crafted this silver Puritan spoon in the 17th century, its handle crowned with a dog. Dogs, symbols of loyalty and vigilance, have graced human artifacts since antiquity. Consider Cerberus, the multi-headed hound guarding the gates of Hades, a fearsome image from ancient Greek mythology. Yet, here, the dog is domesticated, a subtle shift reflecting changing societal values. The image of a dog atop a utilitarian object like a spoon introduces a fascinating duality, blurring the lines between the sacred and the profane. Does it serve as a silent guardian of nourishment or a symbol of earthly pleasures? This juxtaposition is charged with psychological tension. It invites us to ponder the complex interplay of instinct and reason, the wild and the tame, deep within our own psyche. Through this spoon, the past whispers to us, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to bridge time and cultures, and the deep, unconscious resonance they hold.