Samuel Kirk & Son
“Etruscan” Cream Pitcher
1854
Physical Qualities
Silver, 9 1/4 × 4 × 5 1/2 in. (23.5 × 10.2 × 14 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mary R. Shields in Memory of Sallie R. Janney and John H. Janney
Object Number
1971.68.4
Cream pitcher made by Samuel Kirk & Sons, c. 1860; silver, repoussé, hand chased. Part of a 6-piece coffee and tea service made for the neice of Johns Hopkins, Margaret Hopkins Janney, in honor of her wedding to Joseph Elliott. The elegant engraved monogram bears Margaret's initials. Made in the popular "Etruscan" pattern which was first introduced and named by Kirk in 1840. Also known as the 'Landscape' or 'Castle' pattern. The design features varying romantic scenes based on classical Italianate buildings, lush gardens with exotic plants and birds, bridges, trees, and dense floral ornament on a stippled background. This cream pitcher has a classic ewer shape that is set on a stepped and domed circular foot decorated with flowers and foliage. Hand-engraved cast silver handle.
Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1971; Mary Randolph Janney Shields (1895-1993), Pittsburgh, PA likely by descent; John Hall (1866-1933) and Sallie Randolph Turner Janney (1868-1948), Montgomery County, MD likely by descent; Margaret Hopkins Janney Elliott (d.1915), Baltimore, MD by gift, c. 1860; Johns Hopkins (1795-1873) and Sarah Hopkins Janney (1799-1879) by commission
Baltimore Museum of Art, "Decorative Arts Accessions 1968-1973", February 27-April 17, 1973.
Jennifer Faulds Goldsborough, "Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Maryland Silver in the Collection of The Baltimore Museum of Art." Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1975. p. 162, ill.
Inscribed: Engraved on side: "MHJ" script, for Margaret Hopkins Janney
Markings: Struck on underside: "S Kirk & Son / 11.oz"
On View: American Wing Second Floor, Scott 05A/Case 1
