L2018.1014 Spoon, overall
  • L2018.1014 Spoon, overall
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Spoon (Tablespoon)

  • Category:

    Metals

  • Creator (Role):

    James Nicholds (Probable maker)

  • Place of Origin:

    Birmingham, England

  • Date:

    1808-1823

  • Materials:

    Silverplate on copper (fused plate)

  • Techniques:

    Rolled, Hammered, Wrought

  • Museum Object Number:

    2018.0009


  • Complete Details



Object Number

2018.0009

Object Name

Spoon (Tablespoon)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Philip E. Toussaint

Creator (Role)

James Nicholds (Probable maker)

Place of Origin

Birmingham, England

Date

1808-1823

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Underside; "NICHOLDS" in rectangle, stamped
2. Mark; Underside; Nearly effaced tower, stamped

Subjects

American eagle; Great Seal of US

Materials

Silverplate on copper (fused plate)

Techniques

Rolled, Hammered, Wrought

Dimensions (inches)

Dimensions (centimeters)

Object Description

Web - 03/06/2018

British-made export goods bearing American patriotic symbols were plentiful by the early 1800s, but this silverplated copper tablespoon bears a war-like interpretation of elements from the U.S. Great Seal (from 1782-1841) stamped on its handle tip. The national eagle's head facing the cluster of arrows rather than the olive branch also appeared on U.S. coins produced between 1787 and 1803 as well as on mastheads for newspapers printed during the War of 1812. This eagle head direction became incorporated into the Presidential seal for a time, however, most American patriotic eagle imagery uses the Great Seal's viewer's left facing orientation.
Silverplate (called fused plate and Sheffield plate) spoons were produced in vast multiples and it is remarkable this one bears a mark and handle ornament. If it is authentic, the eagle stamp should be seen in the context of other Brimingham flatware such as pewter spoons bearing American eagle symbols for the burgeoning U.S. markets.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Crosskey, Gordon. 2011 Old Sheffield Plate A History of the 18th Century Plated Trade. 454.
Manufacturing: 38-39.