Silver Spoons

Front to back:
Teaspoon, ca. 1850, made by I. B. Curran, Springfield, IL
Teaspoon, ca. 1850, made by G. W. Chatterton and J. G. Ives, Springfield, IL
Sugar spoon with shell-shaped bowl, 1842-1857, made by I. Spear, Chicago, IL
Tablespoon, 1830-1846, made by Samuel Kirk, Baltimore, MD. Belonged to Maria Harvey Elkin, Springfield, IL

These simple fiddleback spoons are examples of the most popular design produced in America between 1812 and the Civil War. By 1850 the era of silversmithing was coming to an end, though a few craftsmen, such as these from Illinois, continued to work in coin silver. It was difficult, however, to compete with silver-plated pieces mass-produced in factories.

Coin silver
Gifts of Jessie Pursell, New Berlin, IL (702998.2); Louise Pillman, Springfield, IL (750068a,750671e); John Bereman, Aurora, IL (750128)

Food Service | Metal

© Illinois State Museum 24-Mar-98