Nut Cracker
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM
Silver-plate
DATES
ca. 1885
DIMENSIONS
5 1/4 x 1 x 11/16 in. (13.3 x 2.5 x 1.7 cm)
MARKINGS
stamped on back of swivel plate: "(anchor in shield) /GORHAM CO. /015"
SIGNATURE
Unsigned
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
1989.71.18
CREDIT LINE
Purchased with funds given by Joseph V. Garry
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Silver-plate with two arms joined at an oval swivel plate. The two arms are identical in shape and have the same decoration front and back. The handles have rounded ends. The sides curve inward and are narrow and straight at mid-point and then flare out and then in again to form a broad oval section before being joined at the swivel plate. The molded decoration on the end of the handle consists of a series of parallel horizontal bands that decrease in width as they diminish in length towards the middle of the arm. The decoration in the oval near the swivel plate consists of a full-faced flower against a scallop background whose edge illusionistically fold back along the half near the middle of the arm. Immediately below this folded edge is an anthemion-like molded motif. Pattern unknown.
CONDITION - Very good. Some minor scratches and some plate loss on edge of one arm near molded flower motif.
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