Samuel Kirk
Tea and Coffee Service

MakerAmerican, 1793–1872
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Tea and Coffee Service
Datec. 1824–1829
Made inBaltimore, Maryland, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions.1: 12 7/8 × 5 7/8 × 12 7/8 in. (32.7 × 14.9 × 32.7 cm)
.2: 11 1/2 × 5 1/4 × 11 7/8 in. (29.2 × 13.3 × 30.2 cm)
.3: 11 1/4 × 5 × 11 3/8 in. (28.6 × 12.7 × 28.9 cm)
.4: 9 1/8 × 5 × 8 in. (23.2 × 12.7 × 20.3 cm)
.5: 7 1/2 × 3 in. (19.1 × 7.6 cm)
.6: 5 3/4 × 25 15/16 × 6 3/8 in. (14.6 × 65.9 × 16.2 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Miss Ima Hogg and friends of Bayou Bend
Object numberB.71.89.1-.6
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Chillman Parlor
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Silver conforming to the dictates of the archaeologically correct Grecian taste paralleled the period’s architecture, furniture, and other decorative arts. During these years the number of tea pieces in a service continued to grow, often comprising an extensive group of hollowware and flatware. The grandest vessel in this set was intended for coffee or hot water, while the two smaller pots were either for coffee or one or more varieties of tea.  Each of these vessels is struck with an assay mark, in the United States unique to Baltimore, where assaying was mandatory between 1814 and 1830.

Technical notes: The winged paw feet are cast. The spherical bodies and shoulders are raised and soldered together, the joint concealed by the cast floral bands. The spouts of the two smaller pots are pierced, where they attach to the side as strainers. The joints for the decorative spout heads are concealed in the collars, whereas on the larger pot it is attached below the collar. The finials on the two larger pots and sugar bowl are soldered on and vented, while that on the smallest is bolted.

Related examples: Goldsborough et al. 1983, p. 142, nos. 157–62; Christie’s, New York, sale 6622, June 4, 1988, lot 55.

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.


Provenance[Peter Hill, Washington, D.C.]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1970; given to MFAH, 1971.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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

Tea and Coffee Service
Samuel Kirk
1823
Silver
B.2019.6.1-.6
Medal
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1850
Silver
B.88.22
Cream Pitcher
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1850
Silver
B.89.11
Tongs
Samuel Kirk
c. 1824–1829
Silver
B.71.90
Pitcher
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1850
Silver
B.2005.3
Tea Kettle, Stand, and Burner
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1903–1924
Sterling silver
86.326.1,.2
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1903–1924
Sterling silver
86.327
Porringer
Elisha Kirk
c. 1780–1790
Pewter
B.53.1.6
Porringer
Elisha Kirk
c. 1781–1790
Pewter
B.79.187.1
Coffee and Tea Service
Edward Chandler Moore
c. 1856–1859
Silver and ivory
B.91.37.1-.4
Six-piece Tea and Coffee Service
Eoff & Shepard
c. 1852–1861
Silver
B.2020.7.1-.6