Teaspoon

Object Name:

Teaspoon

Object ID:

1975.024.06

Place of Origin:

Attleboro, MA (probably)

Date:

1900-1925

Description:

Souvenir Spoon. Silver spoon with flat handle shank broadening to face made up of two circular sections with painted decoration, the one at the end being larger and having central projection at tip. Egg-shaped bowl. Both surfaces of handle decorated with scrolled borders. "NEW HAMPSHIRE" embossed on face of handle shank in upper case letters. Scene of house and grounds engraved on inner surface with engraved caption in upper-case block letters: "BIRTHPLACE OF FRANKLIN PIERCE" above scene and "HILLSBORO' N.H." below. Polychrome decorations on circular sections of handle represent the national seal (eagle) in the smaller circle, and New Hampshire state seal in larger circle. "Black letter" initial "P" engraved on reverse of handle near end. Impressed mark on reverse of handle shank: pennant preceding "STERLING" in upper case sans serif letters, all within plain rectangular mark.

Material:

Metal
Silver

Dimensions:

W-1 L-4.875 inches

Provenance:

Given along with other items purchased by the donor circa 1970 from Misses Mary K. and Susan H. Pierce, daughters of Kirk D. Pierce of Hillsboro. This spoon has a maker's mark which may be that of souvenir spoon makers, Watson & Newell Co., Attleboro, Mass.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

People:

Pierce, Franklin (1804-1869), Pierce, Mary K. (1883-1971), Pierce, Susan H. (1880-1974), Purvis, Doris F. (1899-1988)

Subjects:

Spoons, Silver, Houses, Eagles, State seal (NH)