Spoon 1701 - 1702

This silver spoon, dating back to the early 18th century, was crafted by Benjamin Watts, a silversmith navigating the intricate social hierarchies of his time. The spoon speaks to the rise of a merchant class and their aspirations to mimic aristocratic lifestyles through luxury goods. Note the engraved initials—'E over I * A'—which suggest personal stories, perhaps a marriage or inheritance, now veiled by time. As we look at the spoon, consider the labor involved in its creation and its circulation within colonial trade networks. It presents an intimate connection to the lives of those who used it, a silent witness to the domestic rituals and social gatherings of its era. The spoon offers a taste of the past, inviting reflection on the complexities of identity, status, and the enduring human desire for beauty and utility.