Shepard Shriners 1903 Saratoga Sterling Silver & Enamel Souvenir Spoon

A commemorative of the Shriner's 1903 convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this 5 3/4" long, .7 T. oz., spoon was made by the Shepard Manufacturing Company, whose "S in a circle" emblem and the word "Sterling" appear on the backside. The word "Saratoga" and date "1903" appear in the bowl.

The handle front features a full figure American Indian wearing a headdress with a quiver of arrows on his back and a bow and two arrows in his hand. He is positioned above two ears of corn.

How this imagery links with this Shriner's event bears researching, but the association is apparently strong as there are collectible souvenir drinking glasses from the 1903 convention offered on the internet that feature "Saratoga" and an Indian head.

This spoon has the added enhancement of a three color--red, white, and orange--enameled and gold finished bowl that features the "sword, sphinx, star, and crescent" emblem of the Shriners.

In flawless original condition, this evidences no wear or damage. The bowl is free of bends, nicks, or chipping to the enamel.

A note about Shepard Manufacturing Company, Melrose, Massachusetts: citing secondary sources Dorothy Rainwater in Encyclopedia of American Silver Manufacturers writes, "the firm was reported to be 'the only concern of importance in this country which makes a specialty of souvenir spoons,'" and "The enamelling, painting and engraving is done entirely by hand labor."

The quality of their work is fully evident in this piece.