Artist/Maker William Gale & Son active 1850-1858; 1862-1866

Dessert knife

1855

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Silver

Overall: 8 1/8 × 3/4 × 5/8 in., 1 oz (troy) 8.3 dwt (20.6 × 1.9 × 1.6 cm, 44 g)

Gift of the Honorable Perry Belmont

1936.209

On December 28, 1855, the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants of New York presented Commodore Matthew Calbraith perry with a 381-piece silver dinner service in acknowledgement of his successful negotiation of a treaty with Japan in 1854. In the letter of presentation the committee remarked, "To have brought this secluded Empire, into the intercourse of nations; is an achievement which may justly be ranked, among the greatest events of the age..."

Markingsengraved: on the undersides of the handles: the Perry family crest, an anchor on fess below a hind's head stamped: on the blades: "Wm. GALE & SON" in roman letters

ClassificationsSILVER

DescriptionOne of a set of thirty-five silver dessert knives with wavy-end handles with foliate and knot decoration; undersides of the handles engraved with the Perry family crest, an anchor on fess below a hind's head; flat, curved end blades; makers' marks stamped on the blades.

Object NameDessert knife