One of a Set of Five Table Spoons 1698 - 1699

Editor: This is "One of a Set of Five Table Spoons" by Benjamin Watts, likely made in the early 18th century. It’s… a spoon. But the craftsmanship is striking. What can you tell me about its significance? Curator: The spoon, seemingly mundane, speaks volumes about production and consumption. Consider the labour—extraction of silver, the smithing process. Who owned this spoon? How does its material value reflect social hierarchies of the time? Editor: So, its value comes from what went into making it and who used it, not just its aesthetic appeal? Curator: Precisely. How does this object challenge the traditional art world that often overlooks the value of craft objects? Editor: I see your point. Thinking about the labor involved certainly shifts my perspective on its artistic merit and meaning. Curator: Indeed, materiality matters.