Artist/Maker

Spring, John

Place Made

Date Made

1800-1810

Medium

silver

Dimensions

LOA: 13″

Accession Number

2674

Description

DESCRIPTION: Silver ladle with narrow, tapering handle.

INSCRIPTION: Engraved script initials “RAY” on face of handle.

MARK: Struck on reverse of handle with an intaglio “J.Spring” mark (script) in a rectangular reserve.

MAKER: John Spring (b.c.1775-1827) is documented as working as a silversmith in Charleston, South Carolina for only one year, 1807, working at No. 4, Blackbird’s Alley. He was married in Charleston and was Keeper of the Arsenal and Captain of the Charleston Regiment of Artillery. He died in 1827 at the age of 52. See George Barton Cutten, “The Silversmiths of Virginia” (Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, 1952).

FORM: Large silver ladles were popular for serving punch or soup. Most had plain hemispherical bowls, others were round, and a few had scalloped or shaped bowls. Smaller ladles of silver were most often designated for serving sauces and gravy.

Artist Biography

John Spring (b.c.1775-1827) is documented as working as a silversmith in Charleston, South Carolina for only one year, 1807, working at No. 4, Blackbird’s Alley. He was married in Charleston and was Keeper of the Arsenal and Captain of the Charleston Regiment of Artillery. He died in 1827 at the age of 52. See George Barton Cutten, “The Silversmiths of Virginia” (Richmond, VA: The Dietz Press, 1952).

Artist Working Dates

1807

Credit Line

Gift of Frank L. Horton