Souvenir spoon: Boston

1890-1900

Maker

George W. Shiebler Co. (1876-1910)
A. Stowell & Co., Boston retailer (1822-1981)

Measurements

5-7/8 x 1-1/8 x 3/4

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1214

Inscription

“BOSTON” in raised lettering is on the handle; “1773” is in the bowl.  The Shiebler touchmark--“S” with wings, "STERLING” and “PAT”, along with “A.STOWELL & CO.” are stamped into the back of the handle.

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

The spoon celebrates the Boston Tea Party with an image of crates of tea being thrown into the ocean from a ship, a bulkhead opposite and two row boats in the water.  The handle has "Boston" above a dense depiction of leaves and branches, perhaps representing the Boston Elm, or Liberty Tree.  A dome with lantern atop, presumably representing the Massachusetts State House, terminates the handle.  More leaves and branches decorate the back of the handle.

Bibliography

Accumulation & Display:  Mass Marketing Household Goods in America, 1880-1920 (The Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum, 1986), no. 166, p. 132.