Ladle
1790–1800
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: L. 13 7/8 in. (35.2 cm); 5 oz. 12 dwt. (174.1 g) Bowl: Diam. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm)
Classification
Ladle
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Miss Annie-May Hegeman, 1928
Accession Number
28.94.3
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver ladle, crafted by American silversmith John Burger between 1790 and 1800, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of early Federal-era metalwork. Measuring nearly 14 inches in length with a gracefully proportioned bowl, the piece was likely used for serving soups or punch at formal dinners. Its substantial weight of over five ounces reflects the value placed on durable, high-quality household silver during this period. In the decades following the American Revolution, objects like this ladle served both practical and symbolic roles, signaling prosperity and cultural sophisti...