John R. Wendt
Pair of Terrapin Forks

Public Domain

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Images(3)

Maker John R. Wendt (American, born Germany, 1826–1907)American, born Germany, 1826–1907

Retailer Starr & Marcus (American, active 1864–1877)American, active 1864–1877

CultureAmerican

Titles

Pair of Terrapin Forks

Datec. 1862–1870

Made inNew York , New York, United States

MediumSilver

DimensionsEach: 5/8 × 1 × 5 5/8 in. (1.6 × 2.5 × 14.3 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Phyllis Tucker

Object numberB.2019.4.1,.2

Not on view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionDesigned by the German-born silversmith John R. Wendt, these forks were used to dine on terrapin and turtle dishes. He was perhaps the first American silver manufacturer to be granted a design patent for die-stamped medallion flatware (1862), which was copied and adapted by many other makers into the 1880s. The classical profile portraits remained, but the oval frame had largely disappeared. Wendt’s rendering of the pattern is considered to be among the most successful, with overall pleasing proportions and fine execution of the portrait details. Similar portrait medallions were popular elements on other contemporary objects, such as ceramics and furniture.
ProvenancePhyllis Tucker, Houston; given to MFAH, 2019.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

[no inscriptions]

On the back, incuse: PATENT / 925 / STARR & MARCUS

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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