The lowly spoon offers us little by way of poetry. It is a useful, practical, and utterly primitive utensil. What prompted this exploration of this most humble device? Boredom, and the desire to delve into the depths of obscurity can make a person do strange things. Even the lowliest amongst us deserves some celebration and appreciation. With that in mind, let's go traipsing through the utensil drawer of history.
Let us begin our search where it often does in history, with the ancient Greeks. Apparently, there is some archeological evidence that small seashells were used as spoons amongst the peoples of Greece. Likewise, in ancient Egypt, we see perhaps the first actual carved spoons. These spoons were made from a variety of materials, including bone, ivory, wood, and slate. They were evidently carved with Religious symbols were evidently carved into them, signifying some kind of reverence either for the tool or for the food it handled.
The spoons crafted during the Middle Ages were indicative of the emerging, rigid class structure of feudalism. It was common for peasant spoons to be carved from cow horns or wood. The spoons of the nobles were often made from brass or pewter. Some noble and royal households boasted utensils made from actual silver. Hence, the stern punishments for anyone caught stealing silverware.
As odd as it may sound now, spoons played prominently in ceremonial functions. The minting of coronation spoons was quite common for English Kings. By the time of the Tudors, spoons were adorned with the heads of the Apostles and presented as christening gifts. It was also quite common for betrothed lovers to exchange love spoons. I wonder if this is the root of the eponymous cuddling position.
The mysterious life of dinnerware is a deep and rich field of study. Based on the fact these tools lift sustenance to our mouths, one would imagine we should place more prominence on how they were craft and from what materials. Breaking bread is a special occasion, why should the tool that facilitate the feast not be equally special?
Let us begin our search where it often does in history, with the ancient Greeks. Apparently, there is some archeological evidence that small seashells were used as spoons amongst the peoples of Greece. Likewise, in ancient Egypt, we see perhaps the first actual carved spoons. These spoons were made from a variety of materials, including bone, ivory, wood, and slate. They were evidently carved with Religious symbols were evidently carved into them, signifying some kind of reverence either for the tool or for the food it handled.
The spoons crafted during the Middle Ages were indicative of the emerging, rigid class structure of feudalism. It was common for peasant spoons to be carved from cow horns or wood. The spoons of the nobles were often made from brass or pewter. Some noble and royal households boasted utensils made from actual silver. Hence, the stern punishments for anyone caught stealing silverware.
As odd as it may sound now, spoons played prominently in ceremonial functions. The minting of coronation spoons was quite common for English Kings. By the time of the Tudors, spoons were adorned with the heads of the Apostles and presented as christening gifts. It was also quite common for betrothed lovers to exchange love spoons. I wonder if this is the root of the eponymous cuddling position.
The mysterious life of dinnerware is a deep and rich field of study. Based on the fact these tools lift sustenance to our mouths, one would imagine we should place more prominence on how they were craft and from what materials. Breaking bread is a special occasion, why should the tool that facilitate the feast not be equally special?
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