John R. Wendt
Ice Tongs

MakerAmerican, born Germany, 1826–1907
RetailerAmerican, active 1852–1874
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Ice Tongs
Datec. 1862–1870
Made inNew York , New York, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions13 × 2 1/4 in. (33 × 5.7 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Phyllis and Charles Tucker in memory of Jack Clemens Skaggs
Object numberB.91.32
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Kilroy Center
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

John R. Wendt was issued the earliest design patent for medallion flatware in 1862, followed by Gorham’s designer, George Wilkinson two years later, John Polhamus in 1865, and Philo B. Gilbert in 1867. The popularity of medallion patterns is affirmed by these and another twenty unpatented designs identified today. Wendt maintained a close business relationship with Ball, Black & Co.; in fact, both were located at the same Broadway address. As Wendt was a whole saler, his silver rarely bears a manufacturer’s mark.

Technical notes: The medallion is only on one side. Within the bow is an inner cylinder secured by a finial screw. The rosettes are bolted on.

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.


ProvenancePhyllis and Charles Tucker, Houston; given to MFAH, 1991.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
Inside the arm: Mark of Ball, Black & Co. [Darling 1964, p. 23, top]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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