Samuel Kirk & Son
“Etruscan” Waste Bowl
1844-1854
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Samuel Kirk & Son
“Etruscan” Waste Bowl
1844-1854
Physical Qualities
Silver, 6 1/8 × 6 1/8 × 4 1/2 in. (15.6 × 15.6 × 11.4 cm.)
Credit Line
Bequest of Georgiana Williamson in Memory of her Parents, David B. Williamson and Mary A. Butler Williamson
Object Number
1959.69
Waste bowl made by Samuel Kirk & Son, c. 1850; silver, repoussé, hand chased. Part of a 7-piece coffee and tea service given to David and Mary Williamson for their wedding. The engraved monogram reads "MAB" which stands for Mary A. Butler; the bride. 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 waste bowl has a classic globular shape; set on a squared, cast and pierced foot decorated with flowers and foliage.
Baltimore Museum of Art by bequest, 1959; Georgina Williamson (1865-1959) likely by descent; David (1831-1886, m. 1860) and Mary Butler Williamson (1837-1904) New York, NY by gift, 1860
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. 158, ill.
Spencer Marks, Inc. website accessed 2/13/2025:
https://www.spencermarks.com/products/s-kirk-son-etruscan-landscape-or-castle-pattern-4-piece-coffee-or-tea-service-c-1855-62
https://www.spencermarks.com/products/s-kirk-son-etruscan-landscape-or-castle-pattern-4-piece-coffee-or-tea-service-c-1855-62
Inscribed: Engraved on side: "MAB" script, for Mary A. Butler (Williamson)
Markings: Struck on bottom: "11 oz / S.KIRK & SON / 11 oz"
