Souvenir spoon: Cologne, Germany
Europe
1890-1900
Measurements
4-3/4 in x 1 in x 3/8 in
Materials
Silver with a gold-washed bowl and enamel
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.
Accession Number
1971.1168
Inscription
“DOM ZU KOLN” is in relief inside the bowl at the base of the cathedral. “800” is stamped into the back of the handle near the bowl.
Condition Notes
The enamel decoration at the handle tip is partially chipped away.
Provenance
Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner
Comments
The souvenir spoon depicts a Gothic cathedral in the bowl. The legend below the building identifies it as Cologne Cathedral. The cathedral was begun in the 13th century but was finally completed in 1880. Its two massive towers created one the largest building façades in Europe.
The delicately sculpted handle terminates in a handle with white enamel bearing a partial name because of losses. The back of the handle is stamped with 800, an indicator of 80 percent pure silver, a common standard in European flatware.
