Soup Ladle

ca. 1864

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774

The mid-nineteenth century witnessed an efflorescence of creativity in the American silver industry, fueled by the burgeoning middle class’s increasing demand for refined luxury goods. Silversmiths devoted considerable time and creative energy to generating an endless variety of new designs and patterns. During the 1860s and 1870s silver flatware ornamented with portrait medallions inspired by antique coins and cameos enjoyed widespread popularity, with virtually every American silversmith producing their own proprietary "medallion" pattern. The Saint Louis, Missouri firm of F. A. Durgin created this ladle, the shank of which bears marked similarities to the earliest known medallion pattern patented by New York silversmith John R. Wendt in 1862. (See for example TR.572.7.) Although his pattern is not a copy, it is clear Durgin was familiar with Wendt’s design. An 1878 publication entitled A Tour of St. Louis celebrates Durgin’s firm for "elevating the tastes of our people to the very highest appreciation of fine art," and goes on to report that Durgin "turns out the most elegant articles of solid silverware to be found in the United States….and the superiority of his work has secured for him the patronage of the best and wealthiest citizens of the West."

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Title: Soup Ladle
Maker: F. A. Durgin (American, ca. 1858–88)
Date: ca. 1864
Geography: Made in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Culture: American
Medium: Silver
Dimensions: 12 1/4 in. (31.1 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of D. Frederick Baker and the Baker/Pisano Collection, 2016
Object Number: 2016.533.14
Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Table Spoon, C. D. Sullivan and Company American, Silver, American — Table Spoon
C. D. Sullivan and Company
1800–1830

Tea Spoon, C. D. Sullivan and Company American, Silver, American — Tea Spoon
C. D. Sullivan and Company
1800–1830

Covered Pitcher, Timothy Sage American, Pewter, American — Covered Pitcher
Timothy Sage
1847–48

Ladle, S. Yates American, Silver, American — Ladle
S. Yates
1810–25

Sauce Ladle, John R. Wendt American, Silver, American — Sauce Ladle
John R. Wendt
J.E. Caldwell & Co.
ca. 1862

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.