Spoon, Grapefruit

Object Name:

Spoon, Grapefruit

Object ID:

1995.505.06

Creator:

Durgin, William B.

Place of Origin:

Concord, NH

Date:

circa 1891

Description:

Souvenir Spoon. Made by the William B. Durgin Company, Concord, NH. Silver. Shaped handle with slightly upturned end. Flared, straight-sided, shoulders. Teardrop-shaped bowl, i.e., round with pinched sides; slight evidence of a gold wash in the bowl which has been worn away. Entire front of handle is decorated. Top of bowl shows a federal-style building (White House?) with flagpole and flag at its apex. Above the flag is a sunburst design. In front of the building appears to be a garden and fountain. Below the building are the words in upper case raised stylized letters: "PRESIDENT'S / HOUSE" oriented horizontally. On the stem is written in upper case raised stylized letters: "WASHINGTON, D.C.", oriented vertically. Decorating the shoulders is a scroll motif, which ends at the bowl. The back of the handle and back of the shoulder also have a scroll motif decoration. Stamped on back of the bowl in upper case roman letters: "PAT.MCH.3.91", incuse. Stamped or cast on back of shoulder in upper case roman letters: "STERLING" incuse. Stamped or cast on the back of the shoulder: "D" in upper case script, within a circle mark. Stamped on the back of the stem in upper case sans-serif letters incuse: "PAT.APD.FOR." Stamped on back of stem in upper case roman letters incuse: "HARRIS&SHAFER."

Material:

Metal
Silver

Dimensions:

W-1.187 L-5.812 inches

Provenance:

Souvenir spoon of the White House. Spoon made by Durgin Co., Concord, N.H., and has jeweler's mark of Harris & Shafer, Washington, D.C. silversmiths & jewelers of the late 19th century.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

People:

Durgin, William B. (1833-1905)

Subjects:

White House