Catalog: Souvenirs: Spoons

A 5 7/8" long, .8 T. oz., item, this teaspoon is engraved "March 18, 1898" on the handle reverse and with a delicate, fancy, feathered script "WMC" monogram on the front.

The pattern is Watson's "Cherub," which takes its name from the winged (upward tilting) figure that appears at the tip of the extensively embellished handle. Employing acanthus leaf detailing, and with an irregularly shaped margin, the design embodies a rococo sensibility.

The piece is in excellent condition...

These two, 5 3/4" long, approximately .7 T. oz. each, spoons were made by Toronto's P.W. Ellis & Co., with each stamped "Sterling" on the handle and back of the bowl, and with the firm's "E inside a maple leaf" emblem in adjoining places.

They bear several similarities including the date "1891" set in the center of the handle, with each number surrounded by twig or branch framing...

One of several, fanciful, Art Nouveau designs produced by Unger Brothers that feature ethereal figures, "Cupid's Nosegay" is captivatingly charming.

The nosegay (essentially a bouquet) is comprised of a gathering of floral elements and three clustered and one single cherub faces. The blossoms portrayed include irises and narcissus.

This example is a 5 3/4" long, just under 1.0 T. oz., teaspoon engraved "Lucile 1903" on the backside of the bowl.

It is in excellent condition...

Dating from 1902, George Shiebler's group of twelve month designs follows closely after his Flora series and his line pattern "Fiorito." All of them incorporate Art Nouveau, floral motifs.

This trio includes the months of "April," "September," and "November," and portrays respectively, a lily, a poppy, and a chrysanthemum.

Each spoon measures 6" long, and is heavy, weighing something over 1.0 T. oz. each, with slight variation piece to piece...

A cast item that measures 5" long and weighs .7 T. oz., this piece was made by Gorham and is stamped with the company's "lion, anchor, G" emblem and "Sterling" on the backside.

Highly detailed, the imagery is iconic. The bowl portrays the Chicago Herald building constructed in 1891, which date appears on the lower portion of the handle. There is a pennant that reads "Herald" flying from the flagpole atop the building...

This sterling silver souvenir spoon is replete with provenance. It was made by Dominick & Haff, whose three part emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside. The theme is the "Chicago Fire" of 1871, and appropriately enough the retailer was Chicago's "C.D. Peacock" whose name appears alongside the manufacturer's mark and the words "Pat'd. '91."

It is inscribed on the reverse "Jerome Orrell Eddy," "May 12/91," whose birthday was this date...

A souvenir spoon that features the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, this 5 7/8" long, .9 T. oz., piece features the added element of the "Lincoln & Douglas Memorial" in Freeport, Illinois. The engraved representation of this stone marker is flanked by engraved busts of Lincoln and Douglas.

Made by Watson, whose Mechanics pennant emblem appears on the reverse, along with the word "Sterling," it exhibits the artful die work and fine finishing that characterized this company's output...

Watson produced an extensive line of fruit, floral, and even vegetable patterns around the turn of the 20th century that were exceptionally finely rendered and reflected Art Nouveau sensibilities.

An example from that series, this 6 1/8" long, heavy at nearly 1.2 T. oz., spoon has an elongated and pointed bowl and is probably for citrus.

The motif is grape, showing a large cluster of high relief fruit surrounded by leaves and sinuous vines...

One of a limited, numbered series, Gorham's "H 409" portrays what appears to be a thistle midway on the stem, with a second flower on the terminus...

Measuring 5 13/16" long and weighing just under 1.1 T. oz., this teaspoon is marked with an "H" in a diamond, which is a Gorham designation for "heavy." Other marks are the company "lion, anchor, G" emblem, "Sterling," and "Pat. Mar. 20. 1894."

It is a Zodiac spoon for the month of December. The sign is "Capricornus," the sea-goat, more commonly identified as "Capricorn," whose image appears on the handle. Other decorative elements include holly leaves and berries tumbling into the handle...

Made by Watson, whose pennant emblem and the word "Sterling" appears on the backside, this spoon measures 5 13/16" long and is weighty at just over 1.0 T. oz.

A "Mississippi" souvenir piece, it is replete with iconography. Images include an eagle with shield, "Jeff Davis/Old Home," the "State Capitol," "Shirley House," and the "Surrender Monument," and corn stalks.

It also has an unusual bowl surface. In addition to a gold wash surface front and back, it shows a colored portraiture of ...

The early 20th century witnessed a burst of interest in zodiac signs among silver manufacturers. Gorham is the firm that seemed to have capitalized most fully in this trend, but other producers offered entries as well.

Watson was among them and this 5 7/8" long, just under 1.0 T. oz. teaspoon is an example of that company's output.

The sign is "Gemini," as identified in the upper right hand edge of the front. The twins are portrayed as a pair of cherubs, one standing and one sitting in...

Portraying a bust on the handle and a mounted image for the French King and Roman Catholic Saint for whom the City of Saint Louis was named, this spoon was retailed by that city's premier jeweler, "Mermod-Jaccard & King Co." (1905 forward), as marked on the reverse, along with the word "Sterling."

This is a superbly crafted item. The imagery portrays a youthful king wearing a crown and with his shoulders draped in a clasped cloak. His look is wistful, suggesting his eyes are set on a futur...