Museum Collections
Luce Center
Serving spoons (6)
Object Number:
1936.83
Date:
1855
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 13 3/8 in. × 2 3/8 in. × 2 in. (34 × 6 × 5.1 cm)
Silver Weight: 5 oz (troy) 13.8 dwt (177 g)
Marks:
engraved: on the undersides of the handles: the Perry family crest, an anchor on fess below a hind's head
stamped: on the undersides of the stems: "Wm. GALE & SON" in roman letters
Description:
One of six silver serving spoons with upturned wavy-end handles with foliate decoration; pointed oval bowls with leaf decoration; undersides of the handles engraved with the Perry family crest, an anchor on fess below a hind's head; makers' marks stamped on the undersides of the stems.
Gallery Label:
On December 28, 1855, the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants of New York presented Commodore Matthew Calbraith perry with a 381-piece silver dinner service in acknowledgement of his successful negotiation of a treaty with Japan in 1854. In the letter of presentation the committee remarked, "To have brought this secluded Empire, into the intercourse of nations; is an achievement which may justly be ranked, among the greatest events of the age..."
Credit Line:
Gift of the Honorable Perry Belmont
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.