Peter Krider
Cheese Scoop

MakerAmerican, 1821–1895
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Cheese Scoop
Datec. 1871–1880
Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumSilver and silver gilding
Dimensions5/8 × 7 7/8 × 1 3/16 in. (6.7 × 20.0 × 3.0 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by a friend of Bayou Bend in honor of Michael K. Brown at "One Great Night in November, 2010"
Object numberB.2010.15
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Metals Study Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionAmerican silver flatware from the second half of the 19th century constitutes a social phenomenon as these objects came to be regarded as markers of one’s position and breeding. In this respect, Americans far surpassed British and Continental society by introducing an array of table forms unique to this side of the Atlantic. In fact, by the end of the century, some patterns would comprise more than 100 different serving and place utensils. Responding to the increasing popularity of cheese, two distinct servers evolved: the cheese knife, and for softer varieties, a scoop. Just in case one was not familiar with this object, Krider has incorporated two elements that clearly relate its function—a cow, to suggest the source of the cheese, and a mouse positioned to gobble up any remnants remaining on the scoop.
Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Small pseudo-hallmarks stamped on the reverse near the scoop: "[lion passant]" "R" (gothic) "[crown]"
Stamped on the reverse of the stem: "P.L. KRIDER" "STERLING" (both incuse)

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Silver with silver gilding
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Silver and silver gilding
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Pudding Spoon
Whiting Manufacturing Company
c. 1866–1875
Silver and silver gilding
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Nut Spoon
Gorham Manufacturing Company
c. 1870
Silver and silver gilding
B.93.13