Nut scoop

DATE:: c. 1860–1875
MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE:: Silver, gilding, wrought, cast
CLASSIFICATION:: Culinary Equipment
DIMENSIONS:: 2 × 10 1/4 × 2 1/4 in. (5.08 × 26.04 × 5.72 cm)
DEPARTMENT:: Decorative Arts and Design
LOCATION:: American Art - Silver, Level 4
CREDIT LINE:: Dallas Museum of Art, The V. Stephen Vaughan Collection, gift of Martha and Harold W. Kimmerling, Heidi and Alen Hollomon, Marie E. Chiles, and V. Stephen Vaughan in honor of Charles L. Venable
COPYRIGHT:: Image courtesy Dallas Museum of Art
OBJECT NUMBER:: 1995.23

General Description

This scoop is of exceptional quality both technically and aesthetically. By the 1860s, the United States was the world leader in innovative flatware design. One reason for this position was the arrival of many talented silversmiths following the Revolution of 1848 in Europe. A significant number of these craftsmen were of Germanic origin. This scoop's design suggests it was made by one of these immigrants. The shape and decoration of the handle are especially close to German silver examples. However, the complex form of the bowl with its pierce-work and exceptional engraving are not derived from European prototypes.

Adapted from

DMA unpublished material.