On View
Circulation Gallery
Exhibition
A Century in the Making
Designed by
Bridges, Sheila, American, born 1964
Produced by
Walker, Susan Kay, American, born 1953
Date
2017
Medium
sterling silver with wood and cloth
Dimensions
H x W x D (Container): 3 15/16 × 13 9/16 × 4 1/8 in. (10 × 34.5 × 10.5 cm)
H x W x D (spoon): 10 7/16 × 2 3/8 × 9/16 in. (26.5 × 6 × 1.5 cm)
Description
A sterling silver memorial spoon (a) in a wooden case (b) designed by Sheila Bridges and fabricated by Susan Kay Walker, with CAD Design by Woody Tony, commissioned by the Museum of the City of New York for the 2017 exhibition "New York Silver, Then and Now." The forged silver spoon is laser engraved. On the back of the spoon's bowl is the iconic 1787 image of an enslaved figure kneeling with his chained and shackled arms raised as if in prayer and the words "Am I not a man and a brother?" Along the handle is a 1788 plan of a slave ship. It is further engraved with the mark [MCNY] on the back near the tip and the designer's initials [SB] on the back at center. The wooden case has brass hinges and clasp and is lined in a cream colored fabric.
Place made
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Visual Arts
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Type
spoons
Topic
Art
Design
Middle Passage
Museums
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sheila Bridges
Object number
2019.13ab
Restrictions & Rights
© Sheila Bridges
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a912280d-b855-4dab-8912-8f85c1ec0bac

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page