Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.059.001 |
Object Name |
Spoon |
Description |
Two coin silver serving spoons made by Isaac Lewis, silversmith in Ridgefield. Mr. Lewis came to Ridgefield from Shelton. He worked in Ridgefield from 1810 - 1820 and lived opposite the Resseguie or Keeler Tavern. The spoons are 9 1/8" in length and mongrammed with "HM" with feather engraving at the far end of the handle; circa 1800 - 1810; stamped in block letters on the reverse side with "I. LEWIS". Coin silver was made in the US from ealiest colonial times until just after the Civil War. Coins were melted down and cast into flatware and serving pieces. Colonists wanted to avoid using British coins and precious metals. At the time, paper banknotes were unstable and easy to steal, so wealthy families would melt down their silver money to create useful items. NOTE: Refer to 2015.314.1013 - a collection of 6 Isaac Lewis silver spoons |
Accession number |
2024.059 |
Caption |
Spoon front |