Table spoon (one of a set of six)

c. 1797

Maker

Joseph Richardson Jr. (1752-1831)

Measurements

9 in x 1-3/4 in x 1

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

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

Accession Number

1970.193

Inscription

“SM” in script is engraved into the top of the handle end.  “I·R” is stamped into the underside of the shaft near the bowl.

Provenance

The tablespoons descended in the family from Sarah Marshall Morris (d. 1824) to the donor who is her great, great-grandson.  Sarah Marshall Morris married Thomas Morris (1774-1841) of Philadelphia in 1797.  They both died in Baltimore.

Comments

The table 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 likely made for Sarah at about the time of her marriage in 1797, although her initials remained the same before and after.

This set of spoons accompanies a set of six tea spoons, also by Richardson, with the same provenance (accession no. 1979.194).  For a set of six dessert spoons with the same provenance but by Philadelphia silversmith James Howell and of slightly different historical circumstances. see accession no. 1970.195.

Bibliography

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