Tablespoon, "Italian Pattern"
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM
Silverplate
DATES
Design patented August 19, 1884
DIMENSIONS
8 1/8 x 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (20.6 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm)
MARKINGS
Stamped on back: "PAT.AUG.19.1884" and "REED & BARTON 12"
SIGNATURE
Unsigned
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
88.112.12
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Robert Tuggle
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Tablespoon with a plain bowl. Straight sides of handle flare out gradually and then in slightly just before the end that has rounded shoulders and a flat end. The decoration begins at the bowl with three incised narrow vertical lines about 1" long. Then there is a realistically rendered lily plant with five large leaves about 2” long capped by quarter circle scrolls and then two narrow horizontal bands. Above this, contained in an irregular oval capped by two volutes, is a grotesque head. The balance of the handle is unadorned save for three scripted initials "KMC". The reverse is mostly undecorated except for the same vertical lines at the start of the handle and for a horizontal band near the end. Italian Pattern
Silver-plate flatware patterns with anthropomorphic decoration are unusual. "Assyrian Head," 1886 and "Norman" by 1847 Rogers Brothers (Meriden Britannia Co.) and Reed & Barton's "Renaissance," 1886 are other known highly individualistic examples.
Condition: Fair. There are deep scratches on the end of the handle around the initials and in the bowl. The rim of the bowl is dented. Plate loss on heel of bowl and underside near tip of bowl.
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