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Collection Highlights

Dragonfly Table lamp
c. 1900-1906
N84.113
Glass, bronze
Artist/Maker: Tiffany Studios

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collections > Luce Center > Memorial spoons (2)

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Luce Center

Memorial spoons (2)

Memorial spoons (2)
Object name 
Memorial spoons (2)
Date 
ca. 1845
Related People 
Retailer: Benjamin Marsh
Medium 
Silver
Dimensions 
each overall: 8 7/8 x 1 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. ( 22.5 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm )
Description 
Pair of silver tablespoons with downturned pointed handles; both handles engraved with the initials, "GM" in script; handle a engraved, "Peter Gansevoort Jun.r/ Ob.t 2d.. July 1812 AE y/ 62. m/ 11. d/ 16" and "May 12. 1846" in script and handle b engraved, " Catherine Gansevoort/ obt 30th Dec 1830 AE y/ 78/ m/ 4/ d 14" in script; undersides of both handles engraved (later), "Maria Gansevoort Melville/ born April 6, 1794. died April 1, 1872." in script; pointed oval bowls with broad drops; maker's marks stamped on the underside of the stems.
Credit Line 
Gift of Victor Hugo Paltsits
Object Number 
1953.55ab
Marks 
engraved: on both handles: "GM" in script engraved: on handle a: "Peter Gansevoort Jun.r/ Ob.t 2d.. July 1812 AE y/ 62. m/ 11. d/ 16/ May 12. 1846" in script engraved: on handle b: "Catherine Gansevoort/ obt 30th Dec 1830 AE y/ 78/ m/ 4/ d 14" in script engraved: on the undersides of both handles: "Maria Gansevoort Melville/ born april 6, 1794. died April 1, 1872." in script stamped: on the undersides of the stems: bust in a chamfered square, "D" in a chamfered square, eagle in a chamfered square, "B. MARSH" in roman letters
Gallery Label 
These spoons, commemorating Peter Gansevoort (1749-1812) and Catarine Gansevoort (1751-1830) of Albany, belonged to Maria Gansevoort Melville (1791-1872), daughter of Peter Gansevoort and the mother of the author Herman Melville. The spoons were owned by Catharine Gansevoort, who passed them to her daughter. Maria Gansevoort Melville, in turn, passed them on to her daughter Augusta Melville. They were subsequently given to the donor in 1929 by Charlotte Hoadler, a niece of Herman Melville.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.