Dessert spoon (one of a set of six)

1800-1813

Maker

James Howell (1779-1855)

Measurements

7-1/2 in x 1-1/2 in x 1 in

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Saunders Morris

Accession Number

1970.195

Inscription

“TSM” in script is engraved into the top of the handle end.  “J Howell” in relief script in a conforming rectangle is stamped into the underside of the handle.

Provenance

The initials are those of Thomas and Sarah (Marshall) Morris, who married in 1797.  Thomas (1774-1841) and Sarah (d. 1824) were both from Philadelphia; they each died in Baltimore.  The dessert spoons descended in the family to the donor, who is their great, great-grandson.

Comments

The dessert spoons have pointed oval bowls, a long, undecorated shaft, and a handle that ends in a rounded tip that turns downward.  The set of spoons was made for Thomas and Sarah (Marshall) Morris, both of Philadelphia, who married in 1797.  These spoons have bowls that are more pointed than two other sets of spoons with the same provenance:  six table spoons, accession no. 1970.193, and six tea spoons, accession no. 1970.194, both by Joseph Richardson Jr. and both engraved “SM.”  The bowl shape, the different engraved monogram, and the different maker stamp indicate that this set of spoons was made at a different time. Because the table and tea spoons accompanied a silver tea service, part of the same gift and now at Winterthur, these dessert spoons likely filled in that set with a differently sized spoon.

Silversmith James Howell was closely associated with Richardson.  He moved into Richardson’s old house in 1805 and traded under the name Richardson & Co. from about 1800 to 1813, when he sold off his silver inventory.  For more information, see Catherine B. Hollan, Philadelphia Silversmiths and Related Artisans to 1861 (McLean, Va.:  Hollan Press, 2013), 100.

Bibliography

Louise C. Belden, "Sallie Morris' Silver," Antiques 100, no. 2 (August 1971):  216, fig. 3.