British, silver, 15th to early 16th century
The expression ‘born with a silver spoon in his mouth’ now refers to someone born rich and privileged. However, this spoon probably belonged to someone of middling wealth. The shape is typical of the later Middle Ages: in particular, the handle’s hexagonal cross-section and diamond terminal is possibly the most commonly surviving style.
In this period cutlery was not provided at the table – diners brought their own knives and spoons. The quality of your cutlery symbolised your social status. Simple silver spoons like this would have been used by craftsmen and landed farmers. The rich could have highly decorative spoons, occasionally made of gold. The poor used pewter or wood, or just mopped up with bread.
These spoons were forged, not cast – i.e. the metal was heated and beaten into shape rather than melted and poured into a mould. The irregularities on the bowl of the spoon are a result of this method.
From the Pevensey Castle collection (not on display).
Comments