Silver Fork (Rogers Silverware) c. 1936

This drawing by Ludmilla Calderon depicts a silver fork from Rogers Silverware. Calderon used graphite on paper to capture the form and detail of this everyday object. The drawing’s emphasis on the fork’s material quality and decorative design raises questions about the cultural significance of objects in our lives. Silverware, especially when ornamented, is meant to signify luxury and status. The drawing captures the reflective, cool nature of the silver, as well as the intricate floral motifs on the handle. Consider how the creation of such an object would rely on industrial processes, mass production, and a global marketplace. The availability of these goods speaks volumes about consumption and labor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By focusing on the detailed materiality and design of the silver fork, Calderon invites us to think about the social and economic context in which such an object exists, challenging any divide between art, craft, and design.