Ladle

Object Name:

Ladle

Object ID:

2018.010

Creator:

Nichols, Hiram M. (1821-1902)Silversmith

Place of Origin:

Unity, NH/Lyndon Center, VT

Date:

circa 1850

Description:

Ladle. Made by Hiram M. Nichols (1821-1902), Unity, NH, or Lyndon Center, VT. Silver. Downturned double-swell fiddle handle with rounded fins and oval bowl. "BC" engraved in script on front of handle. "H.M.NICHOLS." stamped in block letters in serrated rectangle on back of handle.

Material:

Metal
Silver

Dimensions:

W-1.7 L-6 inches

Provenance:

Purchased by donor on eBay in 2014.

Brothers Humphrey Nichols (1816-1858) and Hiram M. Nichols (1821-1902), sons of Stephen and Fanny (Pike) Nichols, were natives of Unity, NH. Because of their origins in Unity, one or both of the Nichols brothers probably apprenticed to one of the Bailey brothers, also from Unity. Humphrey went on to work in Concord and Enfield, NH, before settling in Enfield. By 1849, Hiram had moved to Lyndon Center, VT, where he worked as a peddler and dry goods merchant, except for a period during the mid-1860s when he returned to live in Unity. Because Hiram was identified as a peddler for a period of time, he may also have retailed silver manufactured by his elder brother, Humphrey Nichols (1816-1858), or the Baileys of Unity and Claremont.

Credit Line:

Gift of Wesley G. Balla

People:

Nichols, Hiram M. (1821-1902)

Subjects:

Silverware