Whiting Manufacturing Company
Ladle

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Ladle
Datec. 1866–1871
Retailed inGalveston, Texas, United States
Made inNew York, New York, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions12 1/4 × 4 1/4 × 3 1/8 in. (31.1 × 10.8 × 7.9 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Bonnie Ann Campbell in memory of William J. Hill
Object numberB.2021.3
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Texas Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

German immigrant Michael Shaw (1833–1923) established what is reputed to be the first jewelry story in Texas when he founded his firm in Galveston, which he claimed to have done in 1850. The Shaw family arrived in Galveston in 1845. Mary Shaw, who was Michael’s sister, married Galveston watchmaker Daniel H. Pallais, from whom Michael learned the trade. It is likely that the firm’s name was styled M. W. Shaw, Brother and Pallais from about 1866 to 1871, when Daniel Pallais died.

The Whiting Manufacturing Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts, made the ladle for retail by Shaw. By this time, most silver sold in Texas was made in major manufacturing centers, mostly on the East Coast of the United States.


Provenance[Etsy.com]; purchased by Bonnie Ann Campbell, Houston; given to MFAH, 2021.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved in script on reverse of handle: Massey
Stamped on reverse of handle: [Whiting mark] STERLING [incuse] M. W. SHAW BRO. & PALLAIS [incuse]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Ice Cream Knife
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1875–1881
Silver and silver gilding
B.97.11.1
Pudding Spoon
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1866–1875
Silver and silver gilding
B.96.27
Sardine Fork
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1870–1875
Silver and silver gilding
B.2011.24
Ice Cream Knife and Box
Whiting Manufacturing Company
1875–1881
Silver and silver gilding
B.97.11.1,.2
Table Bell
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1873
Silver
B.2000.12
Spaghetti Knife
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1866–1880
Silver
B.2003.13
Pair of Melon Forks
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1866–1871
Silver
B.90.3.1,.2
Ice Cream Server
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1880
Silver
B.2020.3
Letter Knife
Whiting Manufacturing Company
late 19th-early 20th century
Sterling silver
2004.1338.2
Letter Opener
Whiting Manufacturing Company
late 19th-early 20th century
Sterling silver
2004.1338.1
Server
Whiting Manufacturing Company
19th century
Sterling silver and gilt
2004.1342
Sugar Sifter
Whiting Manufacturing Company
late 19th century
Sterling silver and gilt
2004.1343