Spoon 1675 - 1695

This silver spoon was made by William Scarlett sometime in the late 17th century, it lies flat on the surface, exhibiting a muted gleam. The spoon's form, with its elongated handle and bulbous head, presents a study in contrast and balance. Note the juxtaposition of the plain, almost severe lines of the handle against the ornate, swirling engravings adorning the spoon's head. These engravings, a dense network of curvilinear patterns, create a visual texture that plays with light and shadow, evoking a sense of opulent detail. Consider how Scarlett used symmetry and asymmetry to engage the eye; the handle's stark simplicity is a foil to the head's elaborate design. This approach challenges fixed notions of utility, transforming it into a decorative object.