Collection Highlights
The Bulls and Bears in the Market
Date:
1879
Object Number:
1971.104
Medium:
Oil on linen
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Spoon
Object Number:
2009.28.159
Date:
1939
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 1/2 x 1 1/8 x 1/2 in. (14 x 2.9 x 1.3 cm)
Marks:
Stamped: on reverse: "H" [in penant flag] / "STERLING"
Description:
Sterling silver souvenir spoon; on obverse of handle, from finial to bowl, cut-out skyline of “LOWER NEW YORK” with “STATUE OF LIBERTY” at finial and “BROOKLYN BRIDGE” near bowl; on bowl, view of Trylon and Perisphere and the words “NEW YORK / WORLD’S FAIR / 1939 / C NYWF”; on reverse, from finial to bowl, “NEW YORK / FIRST SETTLEMENT – 1614 – INCORPORATED UNDER THE NAME – OF – NEW AMSTERDAM – 1652 –"; all in relief.
Gallery Label:
This spoon is part of a collection of 407 New York-themed spoons donated by journalist and urban critic Roberta Brandes Gratz in 2009. During the 1880s, American travelers began collecting spoons in earnest as souvenirs of European cities. Anticipating a demand for American souvenir flatware, a few savvy U.S. manufacturers began patenting designs around 1889. New York City subjects appeared on spoons almost immediately. Gorham became the first major factory to produce New York City spoons, joining the craze in 1891. By 1893, Tiffany & Co. offered eighteen different souvenir spoons featuring New York City landmarks at prices ranging from $2 to $5.
Credit Line:
Gift of Roberta Gratz
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
