Folding Spoon From Traveling Cutlery Set
ca. 1700–50
Classification
cutlery
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
The Robert L. Metzenberg Collection, gift of Eleanor L. Metzenberg
Accession Number
1985-103-259
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This folding spoon, dating from circa 1700 to 1750, comes from a traveling cutlery set created by an unknown artist. It exemplifies the portable dining tools common in the early 18th century, designed for convenience during journeys. The folding mechanism allowed the spoon to collapse into a smaller size, making it easy to carry in a pocket or travel case. As part of a complete set, it would have been used alongside other utensils, highlighting how personal cutlery was valued for practicality in an era when travel was becoming more frequent. Donated to the Smithsonian American Art Museum thr...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...