Object Number 1995.0016

Object Name

Spoon (Tablespoon)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Jonathan and J. William Inslee

Creator (Role)

Robert & William Wilson (Probable maker)
As per Quimby (See References): Robert Wilson and William Wilson sons of the silversmith WIlliam WIlson (1766-1824) became one of the most important manufacturers of fine silver in Philadelphia. Robert & William Wilson advertised as manufacturers of spoons and silver as well as silverplaters beginining in 1825. Robert was born in about 1796, possibly in Scotland, and died January 22, 1846 in Philadelphia at age 50. He is identified in the Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Monument Cemetery as a silversmith and native of Scotland. His will mentions his wife Catharine, brother William and sister Jane Wilson. (Wills No 1-49, 1846, Case 24, pp. 268-272).

Dr. George McClellan (Owner)
12/22/1796-05/09/1847

Place of Origin

Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date

1819-1846

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Handle, underside; "D\R.. G McCLELLAN" in a serrated rectangle, stamped
2. Mark; Handle, underside; "PHIL\a." in a serrated rectangle, stamped
3. Mark; Handle, underside; Federal eagle with out swept wings and head facing viewer's left, in a rounded corner square, stamped twice flanking McClellan stamp

Subjects

Medical

Materials

Silver

Dimensions (inches)

8.93 (L)

Dimensions (centimeters)

22.7 (L)

Object Description

Web - 07/05/2018

This tablespoon bears a swage-stamped ornament on the rounded handle tip picturing a woven basket overflowing with flowers, like a miniature still life picture in silver. The handle's underside is marked with the name of a prominent Philadelphia surgeon and professor, Dr. George McClellan (1796-1847), rather than the silversmith who made it.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Belden, Louise C. 1980 Marks of American Silversmiths in the Ineson-Bissell Collection. 506 p.
• An illustrated glossary of spoon terms, pp. 467-488
[Article] Fennimore, Donald L. 05//2018 Dr. George McClellan's Silver Spoons. Silver Magazine. L (3): 16-23.
• Published: Figs. 9-12, pp. 21-23.