James Watts
Fish Knife

Public Domain

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Maker James Watts (American, 1810–1888)American, 1810–1888

Retailer Bell & Brothers (American, c. 1860–c. 1895)American, c. 1860–c. 1895

CultureAmerican

Titles

Fish Knife

Datec. 1860–1870

Retailed inSan Antonio, Texas, United States

Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

MediumSilver

Dimensions1 7/16 × 11 3/4 × 2 3/4 in. (3.6 × 29.9 × 7 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Bayou Bend Docent Class of 2022 in honor of Jennifer Hammond and Nancy Bratic

Object numberB.2023.10

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Metals Study Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionJames Watts, possibly a native of Ireland, was active as a silversmith in Philadelphia from 1835 until 1883, specializing in flatware, much of it embellished with engraved patterns, sometimes in conjunction with engine turning. An analysis of the combinations of Watts maker’s and retailers’ marks indicates that he had an extensive list of clients, most in the Philadelphia area but also in the Midwest, the upper South, and Virginia. In San Antonio, the Bell silver and fancy goods firm was initially established by Samuel Bell’s sons James G. and David, becoming J. G. & D. Bell. In 1860, the partnership’s name changed to Bell & Brothers, helping to establish the date of the fish knife. The fish knife form is very rare in Texas-related silver; at present, this is the only example known.
ProvenancePrivate collection, Houston; [Phyllis Tucker Antiques, Houston]; purchased by MFAH, 2023.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Intial engraved at top of handle: W

On reverse of handle near juncture with blade: maker’s mark [horse’s head above a shield with chevron] / incuse: COIN
On reverse of handle: Bell & Brothers. [incuse italics]

Catalogue raisonnéN/A

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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