Eoff & Shepard
Cake Knife

MakerAmerican, active 1852–1861
RetailerAmerican, active 1852–1874
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Cake Knife
Datec. 1852–1861
Made inNew York , New York, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions2 1/4 × 13 in. (5.7 × 33 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Rachel Pabst
Object numberB.2002.32
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Kilroy Center
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Edgar Mortimer Eoff and George L. Shepard formed their partnership in New York City. They sold much of their production through silverware and luxury goods retailers such as Ball, Black and Company. By 1855, Eoff and Shepard was a midsized firm in Manhattan that utilized steam power and employed twenty men and five boys. In that year, the firm manufactured 20,800 ounces of silver.

This cake knife, with a broad, scimitar-like blade, features a stylized cornucopia as its handle. Eoff and Shepard adapted this form to create handles and spouts for many other objects, such as pitchers, teapots, and coffeepots.


ProvenanceRachel Pabst, Houston; given to MFAH, 2002.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Stamped verso blade: BALL BLACK & CO. / E. & S / N. YORK
Hallmarks: head right, lion left, beehive

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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