George B. Sharp
Asparagus Server

Public Domain

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Maker George B. Sharp American, born Ireland, 1819–1904

Retailer Browne & SpauldingAmerican, c. 1865–1870

CultureAmerican

Titles

Asparagus Server
from the "Gothic Dome" pattern

Datec. 1866–1869

Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Retailed inNew York, New York, United States

MediumSilver with gilding

DimensionsOverall: 11 7/16 × 2 15/16 × 2 3/8 in. (29 × 7.5 × 6 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Phyllis Tucker in memory of Wilson Bridges Grounds

Object numberB.2020.6

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Kilroy Center

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionAmerican silver in the Gothic style is relatively rare. In this asparagus server, the George Sharp firm adapted Gothic motifs with more creativity than did many of his contemporaries, including bifoil elements to decorate the terminal of the handle, and trefoil piercings and cusped outlines on the tines of the extravagantly shaped bowl. Sharp made servers in this pattern with variations on this configuration, such as using different cast elements to decorate the front of the bowl and different configurations of the tines and bowl piercings. This server is marked with a patent date of 1866, referring to a design patent issued for the beaded handle design, which also appears on objects with different handle terminals and bowls. This server is a fine example of the highly imaginative designs and outstanding workmanship for which Sharp’s firm is known.
Provenance[Spencer Marks, Ltd., Southampton, Massachusetts]; purchased by Phyllis Tucker, Houston, 2020; given to MFAH, 2020.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

[no inscriptions]

Marked on underside of bowl: S [within an oval flanked by lions passant ] / PATENT 1866 [incuse]; [retailer’s mark for Browne and Spaulding]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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