Wendt 'Medallion' BB&K Sterling Silver Preserve Spoon

A 7" long, 1.1 T. oz., preserve or jelly spoon, this piece has a generously sized, 2 1/2" by 1 5/8", shell shaped bowl with a scalloped edge and slightly pointed tip.

Made by John Wendt in his Medallion pattern, it is stamped with his characteristic "Patent" and "925," along with the name of the retailer, Boston's "Bigelow Bros. & Kennard."

One of the most impressive of the myriad Medallion figures offered by American manufacturers in the 1860s, the line featured a variety of classical figures, with the image on this portraying "Minerva" (as identified by Soeffing in Silver Medallion Flatware).

Never monogrammed, this is a particularly fine example. The head set in profile remains very sharply defined, without any softening from polishing. The bowl is free of dents, bends, or nicks, and the overall finish is bright and even.

Side note: Wendt is generally thought of as a New York City manufacturer, with a strong association with Ball, Black & Co., which was a prominent NYC firm. He originally worked in Boston, however, which may explain the some unexpected Bigelow, Bros. & Kennard mark on this, which itself tended to market New England sourced silver in the mid 19th century period.