_Antiquarian Value of Ancient Table Furniture—People of
Egypt—Specimens of their Spoons—Humorists—Other Spoons of Ivory,
Bronze and Wood—Salt and Salt-Cellar—Roast Goose in Egypt—Golden
Spoons of the Tabernacle and Temple—Simpula of Wood, Bronze and
Gilt—Reflections._
Having given samples of primitive spoons formed of shells, horn, and
wood, we might proceed to the introduction of those made of pewter,
brass, iron, silver and other metals—of which some were undoubtedly made
in ages anterior to those of history; but all would be sheer conjecture.
The fortunes of the first races of men have not been recorded—much less
the adventures of their spoons. We shall therefore confine our future
observations chiefly to actual specimens, arranged in chronological
order and beginning with the oldest extant.
It would have been an agreeable task to have traced a connection in the
table utensils of the famous nations of old—in those exported from Tyre,
and such as were produced in the silversmith shops of Persepolis or
Troy; but no pattern-card of Tyrian or Sidonian spoonmakers has reached
us, nor, any specimens placed on the sideboards of Priam or
Nebuchadnezzar. The blank might indeed be in a great measure filled by a
few from the neighborhood of Memphis and Thebes—such as old Egyptian
artists supplied their own and other countries with, when the useful and
ornamental arts flourished in the Nilotic valley. Such would have given
us an idea of prevailing tastes in the forms and decorations of the
implement. We could at a glance have compared them with our own, and
told in a moment whether Moses and Joshua, Nehemiah or Ezra—whether
Egyptian gentlemen or Jewish maidens took pottage with implements
fashioned like ours. How interesting would a sight of such spoons have
been! What would not lovers of antiquity give to behold them, or for
drawings and descriptions of them! Does the reader enter into the spirit
and feelings of such philosophers? Does he take pleasure in tracing the
characters of remote people in vestiges of their arts—ascertaining their
domestic manners in their culinary utensils, and the state of the useful
professions among them in products of their workshops? Well, spoons made
and used by the old inhabitants of Egypt _are_ in existence! The
assortment is limited, but it might have been less; and small as it is,
we are enabled to produce drawings of ‘a round dozen.’
What a wonderful people were these children of Ham! The greatest
benefactors of their race the world ever saw, they seem to have lived
only for posterity—to perpetuate the useful arts—to hand to their
successors their knowledge; and lest future physiologists should dispute
about their persons, they have come down themselves, and submitted their
bodies to our inspection—not in small numbers, but in millions! The
catacombs have for ages been quarried like coal mines for fuel, and are
yet said to contain more mummies than Egypt living men. How surpassing
strange is it, then, that we should have before us spoons used (perhaps)
three or four thousand years since, with the men and women they
nourished—the identical hands that handled them—the very mouths they
entered! What people but one ever did this much for posterity; and what
people will ever repeat it? Four thousand years hence (or even one
thousand) antiquarians, on referring to our days and our arts, might as
well search the soil for our souls as our bodies.
Is the reader anxious to look on spoons made under the Ptolemies or
Pharaohs? Let him exercise a little patience, and, ere he casts his eyes
on the next illustration, think within himself what can they be like—of
what forms are the bowls—do they resemble shells—are all of one
shapes—how decorated, if decorated at all? Then the handles—are they
flat like modern ones, round or square, plain or carved? And of what
materials are these relics of ancient days?
[Illustration:
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SPOONS.
]
See! there is half a dozen—each of a different pattern, and of assorted
sizes, too; unless, as is most likely, the artist who copied them has
not drawn all to the same scale. The originals are in the British
Museum. Do not they, few as they are, present about as much variety as
every species of modern spoons? But if they do—if these stragglers,
picked up among tombs or ploughed out of the soil, exhibit such
fertility of design, what rich displays of the article must the shelves
of goldsmiths, hardware and fancy stores in Memphis, Thebes, and On have
afforded!
[As we have unfortunately little or no specific information respecting
the originals of several of our illustrations, the reader will, we
presume, be better pleased with some reflections than with absolute
silence. It is awkward to introduce specimens without comment; hence,
where descriptive data are not within reach, we shall occasionally offer
such remarks, serious or otherwise, as the figures themselves may
suggest.]
Not two of the bowls in the preceding spoons are alike; and as for the
handles, they are as different as they well could be. In _Fig. 1._ the
bowl represents a slightly scolloped shell, supported on the head of a
human figure, which serves as a handle, and whose feet rest on the
capital of a column. The handle is short compared to the size of the
bowl, (a remark applicable to others,) but it was no doubt proportioned
to the particular purpose for which such spoons were made. The pattern
seems to have been borrowed from architecture; but there is something
bizarre in making Atlantes bear spoons instead of entablatures or domes
of temples. The Egyptians were great humorists, and freely indulged in
burlesque. If we could suppose a joke was intended in the design, the
figure might be taken for a caricature of Atlas or Hercules bearing the
celestial or terrestrial sphere, as an intimation that the spoon was all
the world to gastronomes, its effects a heavy burden fat men groaned
under, and its pleasures their highest delight. In this respect the
figure is not an inapt representation of some people’s achievements in
life.
In _Fig. 2._ the handle appears as if turned in a lathe: where it joins
the bowl it assumes the form of the lotus flower, out of whose leaves
the bowl like a ripe fruit is seen to rise. The shape of the bowl is
precisely like that of ours, viz: a longitudinal segment of an egg
shell.
_Fig. 3._ is of wood, and very unlike a modern one in shape, unless
compared to a marrow spoon. The bowl resembles the cartouche or royal
oval, in which the names of the kings of Egypt are inscribed in
hieroglyphics on the monuments. It obviously could only have raised
fluid matter from shallow dishes or plates. The ornaments may be
arbitrary, but we should rather suppose they had an allegorical meaning.
The ibex or gazelle, an animal which supplied the chief material for
broth; and the fish, with sprigs of parsley or other herbs, in their
mouths, as if ready for the table, were certainly not inappropriate
decorations of an implement employed in transmitting portions of these
victims to the human palate.
_Fig. 4._—a bronze spoon, and more nearly resembling the modern one than
any of the preceding. The shank is made to represent the human hand and
arm—a copy of the _first_ spoon handles, when cockle and muscle shells
only were in use. Perhaps there is an allusion to that custom in this
ancient implement; but the artist did not forget to introduce a victim
of the caldron or spit: he has made the handle terminate with the head
of a goose, a bird in much repute with the Apician literati of Egypt,
and as such often figured on spoons.
_Fig. 5._ Here we have a spoon representing a fish swimming into a
kettle, as if anxious to be macerated and served up at table. The
material is wood, and the bowl circular. One part of the fish is made to
turn on a pin near the tail, so as to expose a small cavity or box in
the thick part of the body. This was probably a sportman’s or
traveller’s portable spoon, and the cavity occupied with salt or other
condiment—a feature of some interest, since it shows us that ingenuity
in such matters dates back to remote periods. In _Plate V._ is a spoon
with a concealed toothpick, an instrument more appropriate to a knife or
fork. The Egyptian artist adhered more closely to propriety in
introducing a receptacle for seasoning, especially in an utensil
employed only with fluid aliments.
_Fig. 6._ is the plainest of the whole, but not devoid of ornament: the
handle, which is long and stout, having one extremity carved into a
horse’s head, and the other a projecting piece or shoulder that unites
it to the bowl.
Another group, taken from Wilkinson’s ‘_Manners and Customs of the
Ancient Egyptians_,’ will be found on the following page.
_Fig. 1._ is of ivory, about four inches long, and preserved in the
Public Museum at Berlin. It was discovered at Thebes along with a deep
stand or chest containing a number of small jars or bottles—supposed to
have been part of the stock of an apothecary, or to have belonged to the
toilet of a Theban beauty. The style of the handle of this spoon is
unique, and independent of the carved head, displays much taste.
[Illustration:
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SPOONS.
]
The implement itself is not unlike some of our small spoons—possibly it
belonged to an ancient salt-cellar. Salt, it will be remembered, was
used at table in remote antiquity just as it is at this day, and several
superstitions were associated with it. Omens drawn from spilling it,
observes Fosbroke, are equally antique with its use. The salt-cellar was
placed on the table with the first dish containing offerings to the
Gods. Its presence was supposed to sanctify the food, and great
importance was attached to keeping it bright and clean. Fabricius, the
conqueror of Pyrrhus, was distinguished for the simplicity of his
manners: history informs us that a small salt-cellar, with horn feet,
was the only article of silver in his house.
_Fig. 2._—of bronze, eight inches long, and with a flat handle; perhaps
the common table-spoon of the people, occupying the place of the modern
iron or pewter one. The form of the bowl is very like that of wooden and
pewter spoons of the last century. Here we have the head of the goose
again, one of the favorite, though certainly not most healthy viands of
both priests and people. The occupants of the temples, says Herodotus,
were not obliged to live on their private means, but each individual had
sacred victuals ready dressed assigned him, and in addition a daily
allowance of beef and _goose_, (ii. 37.) In the tombs near the pyramids
are representations of dinner parties, at which the goose figures as a
prominent dish. Other scenes exhibit Egyptian cookery in detail, where
the victim is undergoing the various operations preparatory to its
appearance at table. The end of the handle of _Fig. 2._ being curved was
doubtless designed to suspend the spoon over the edge of a vessel, or
over a nail or cord. Several utensils are seen hanging from lines in an
Egyptian kitchen, portrayed in the tomb of Rameses III. at Thebes.
_Fig. 3._—another bronze table spoon. The handle is round and tapered,
partly formed in the lathe, enriched with carving, and having on the
whole a tasteful appearance.
_Fig. 4._—also of bronze, found at Thebes by Mr. Burton: smaller than 2
or 3, it was probably a child’s spoon. It is the plainest of Egyptian
spoons yet found.
_Fig. 5._—a small wooden spoon, formed like a spade—a shape so singular
that it has been refused a place at the dining table. It is, however, a
genuine spoon. The Romans used such, (_See Plate II._) and similar
formed implements are not uncommon with the Chinese, as will be noticed
in a future page,—a people among whom many primitive arts and implements
are preserved in their purity.
[Illustration:
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SPOONS.
]
In the first two figures above we have another elegant variety of the
spoon. They represent the back and front of a wooden one. The handle is
round, straight, and short, and handsomely set off with a wreath,
terminating with leaves at the junction with the bowl. The latter is
long and pointed, and seems well calculated for a pap spoon for
infants—a purpose for which it was probably designed. In comparing this
implement with those which have preceded it, some readers will be
agreeably surprised at finding so great a diversity of forms in so
simple a thing; but ere they arrive at the end of these pages the
feeling will probably rise into wonder; and yet the whole of the
illustrations embraced in this essay are but part of what might have
been introduced.
_Fig. 3._ resembles one figured on page 126; but it is not like that
formed of metal, but of ivory—a circumstance from which we may infer
that the goose and human hand were staple ornaments of Egyptian spoons,
and frequently adopted with every material of which the latter were
made.
[Illustration:
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SHELL AND SPOON.
]
The relationship between spoons and their natural originals is exhibited
in the above figure. The shell is an artificial one, of alabaster, and
is among the antiquities preserved in Alnwick Castle. Its dimensions are
those of an ordinary mussel shell or table spoon. The minikin spoon
figured within it is supposed to have belonged to a lady’s toilet. Where
the handle unites with the bowl it assumes the form of the favorite
lotus.
No better proof could be adduced of the refined taste of Pharaonic
artists than this copying after nature; for it is the perfection of
skill to follow her instructions. In the infancy of the arts man runs
from her, preferring puerile conceits and monstrous figures; but as the
mind ripens and the judgment matures, he returns to the only true
teacher and guide.
We are not aware of any _silver_ or _golden_ spoons having been
disinterred. It is certain the wealthy classes had such, and as the
richest taste and greatest skill were lavished on them, it is to be
regretted that none have been discovered. The first spoons mentioned in
history were golden ones, made by Egyptian artists, viz: those furnished
for the Tabernacle. (Exod. xxv. 29.) So were those presented by the
princes of Israel at the dedication of the sanctuary. (Numb. vii.) Is it
said they were fabricated by Aholihab and Bezaleel, or workmen employed
by them, that is, by Israelites? True, but in every sense of the word,
except as regards religion, and even that need hardly be excepted, these
men were Egyptians—natives of the land, both they and their fathers, for
many generations. What did the people whom Moses led out of Egypt know,
except what they learned there? And what had they, but what they got
there? If he himself was learned, it was with ‘the wisdom of Egypt.’
Neither had they nor their ancestors any other country. In Egypt they
were born and brought up, and when they entered Canaan, it was to them a
foreign land.
The Jews always neglected the useful arts. The splendid mechanics who
left Egypt with Moses died, and all their generation, in the wilderness.
With them the arts were buried, and were never resuscitated on the other
side of Jordan. When Solomon built the temple he had workmen from Tyre;
it was a Phenician founder who made the bronze and golden bowls, basins,
snuffers, spoons, &c. required. (1. Kings vii.—2. Kings xxv.) Both
spoons and ladles, or simpula, were extensively used in Pagan worship. A
few of those of ancient Egypt are figured below.
[Illustration:
EGYPTIAN LADLES OR SIMPULA.
]
Simpula have been found of great variety of forms and materials. Those
of bronze were frequently _gilt_, which made them richer in ornament,
and prevented wine or acids retained in them from being contaminated
with solutions of copper. They were used chiefly for dipping fluids from
amphoræ or jars. The two upper ones in the cut are of bronze, in the
Berlin Museum. The first has a _folding joint_ in the middle of the
handle; and the next one has its handle lengthened or shortened
(according to the depth of the vessel) by one part sliding behind the
other. _Fig. 3_ represents an extremely small wooden ladle; the fixed
part of the handle being only five inches in length, and the sliding rod
which rises and falls in a groove extending down the centre, about the
thickness of a darning needle. The last (_Fig. 4_) in Mr. Wilkinson’s
possession, is eighteen inches long, the bowl three inches deep and
nearly the same, in diameter. It is of bronze and has been gilt.
In taking leave of Egyptian spoons figured in this chapter, one can
hardly avoid thinking of the persons they belonged to, of the families
of their owners, the mouths they fed, the food they assisted to cook and
serve up, of the scenes of festivity, of sickness and sorrow, of high
life and low life, in which they took a part; of the workmen who made
them, the merchants who sold them, and the many strange conversations
held in their presence! In their forms we have the turns of thought of
old artists; nay, casts of the very thoughts themselves; such as
inspired the cunning artists, companions of Bezaleel or of Hiram, and
like them, skilful to devise curious works in gold and silver, brass and
iron, ivory and pearl. We fancy we can almost see a Theban spoonmaker’s
face brighten up as the image of a new pattern crossed his mind; behold
him sketch it on papyrus, and watch every movement of his chisel or
graver as he gradually embodied the thought, and published it in one of
the forms portrayed on these pages—securing an accession of customers
and a corresponding reward in an increase of profits. We take it for
granted that piratical artisans were not permitted to pounce on every
popular invention which the wit of another brought forth. Had there been
no checks to unprincipled usurpers of other men’s productions, the
energies of inventors would have been paralyzed and the arts could
hardly have attained the perfection they did among some of the famous
people of old.
What a transient, ephemeral being is man! How short is his life compared
even to that of a spoon! Notwithstanding his pride and his power, the
grasp of his intellect, the noise he makes in the world, and the lasting
wonders he works, he is himself a bubble—no sooner inflated than burst!
The meanest of his labors survive, while he vanishes as vapor. Probably
not less than one hundred generations, including some of the mightiest
spirits of Egypt, have passed away since the implements delineated above
were made! Strange that a thing should endure longer than the head which
conceived and the hands that formed it; that a pot should live longer
than a potter. Here have we the identical spoons which, twenty or thirty
centuries ago, men, women, and children handled at dinner!—individuals
perhaps contemporary with those who encamped with Moses at Elim, or
fought under Joshua at Jericho; or, it may be, such as were acquainted
with Plato or Solon, with Helen and Herodotus, when these Grecian
wanderers were in the land of Mizraim.