Artist/Maker
Whiting Manufacturing Co.
(active 1866 - 1926)
Spoon
ca. 1891–1920
Place madeNewark, New Jersey
Silver
Overall: 5 1/4 × 1 1/8 × 5/8 in. (13.3 × 2.9 × 1.6 cm)
Gift of Roberta Gratz
2009.28.312
This spoon is part of a collection of 407 New York-themed spoons donated by journalist and urban critic Roberta Brandes Gratz in 2009. During the 1880s, American travelers began collecting spoons in earnest as souvenirs of European cities. Anticipating a demand for American souvenir flatware, a few savvy U.S. manufacturers began patenting designs around 1889. New York City subjects appeared on spoons almost immediately. Gorham became the first major factory to produce New York City spoons, joining the craze in 1891. By 1893, Tiffany & Co. offered eighteen different souvenir spoons featuring New York City landmarks at prices ranging from $2 to $5.
DescriptionSterling silver souvenir spoon; on obverse and reverse of handle, flowers and stalks in relief; bowl engraved with view of a church and the words “CITY OF CHURCHES / BROOKLYN”.MarkingsIn relief: on reverse: "W" [in shield held by chimera], pretzel shape / "STERLING"; stamped: "PAT. APP. FOR.", In marker: on reverse of bowl: 4B1
ClassificationsSILVER
