Silver Teaspoon 1935 - 1942

This is Frank Nelson's "Silver Teaspoon," a graphite on paper drawing. Nelson lived a long life that stretched from the mid-19th century well into the 20th, which suggests he witnessed seismic shifts in society, technology, and of course, art. Nelson's choice to depict a seemingly mundane object asks us to consider the politics of everyday life. Whose silver is it? Silver, of course, is a precious metal, and spoons speak to eating, nourishment, and the rituals of dining. The engraved initials on the handle intimate the spoon is a personalized object, one probably imbued with sentimental value, familial history, and perhaps even class identity. This close study elevates the ordinary and invites us to reflect on the stories objects can tell about ourselves and our shared history. Is it a nostalgic remembrance of things past? Or a quiet meditation on value and worth?