George Wilkinson
Sardine Fork

Public Domain

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DesignerAttributed to George Wilkinson (American, born England, 1819–1894)American, born England, 1819–1894

Maker Gorham Manufacturing Company (Providence, Rhode Island, founded 1831)Providence, Rhode Island, founded 1831

CultureAmerican

Titles

Sardine Fork
from the “Silence” pattern

Datec. 1866

Made inProvidence, Rhode Island, United States

MediumSilver

Dimensions5/8 × 1 1/4 × 7 1/16 in. (1.6 × 3.2 × 17.9 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Dr. William P. Hood, Jr.

Object numberB.2002.34

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Metals Study Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionGorham’s “Silence” pattern, introduced in 1866, was just one of that firm’s designs to feature Egyptian motifs. When the pattern came to the market, the best sardines were imported from France, but disruptions in supply caused by the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71) helped spur a domestic sardine canning industry.
ProvenanceDr. William P. Hood, Jr., Houston; given to MFAH, 2002.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

[None]

Three standard Gorham marks and "STERLING" on the handle.
Gothic monogram on back of fork: "H G" (?)

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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