Küchler & Himmel
Goblet

MakerNew Orleans, active 1852–1853
RetailerAmerican, active 1829–1861
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Goblet
Datec. 1852–1853
Made inNew Orleans, Louisiana, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions7 7/16 × 3 7/8 in. diameter (18.9 × 9.8 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Craig & Tarlton, Inc.
Object numberB.70.50
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Belter Parlor
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Kuchler and Himmel’s goblet is an early example of spun silver. Spinning, a manufacturing technique whereby simple vessels or components could be formed on a lathe, was introduced by the second quarter of the nineteenth century. This process was first used by manufacturers of Britannia, a pewter-related alloy, and later adapted to the production of silver.  A sheet disk was placed against a wooden pattern in the shape to be replicated. The chuck was secured on the lathe; as it revolved, pressure was applied, and the silver blank conformed to the desired shape.

Technical notes: The goblet is spun in two parts, which are joined at the upper stem and wafer. 

Related examples:  Mackie, Bacot, and Mackie 1980, p. 33, no. 34; Mackie, Bacot, and Mackie 1982, p. 303.

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[James H. Craig, Craig and Tarlton, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina]; given to Miss Ima Hogg, 1970; given to MFAH, 1970.
Exhibition History"Containers and Vessels" The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston October 21, 1989–January 1990 Subsequent tour

Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
Underneath bowl: mark of Küchler and Himmel [Mackie, Bacot, and Mackie 1980, p. 126, no. 6]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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

Goblet
Küchler & Himmel
c. 1852–1853
Silver
B.2014.11
Goblet
Adolphe Himmel
1857
Silver
B.2023.2
Sugar Bowl
Terfloth & Küchler
c. 1858–1861
Silver
B.97.50
same image for three of the six spoons in this set.  Not clear which actual object is pictured.
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1860
Silver
B.69.400.2
same image for three of the six spoons in this set.  Not clear which actual object is pictured.
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1860
Silver
B.69.400.3
Tablespoon
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1860
Silver
B.69.400.1
Serving Spoon
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1870
Silver
B.81.13.1
Serving Spoon
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1870
Silver
B.81.13.2
same image for all spoons in set.  Not clear which actual object is pictured.
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1854–1875
Silver
B.88.15.1
Tablespoon
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1854–1875
Silver
B.88.15.2
Tablespoon
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1854–1875
Silver
B.88.15.3
Cropped from post-treatment Conservation photo
Adolphe Himmel
c. 1855
Silver
94.876