Pepper Shaker

1912

Scroll

George Washington Maher, Gorham Manufacturing Company, and others

Pepper Shaker

Designer: George Washington Maher
Manufacturer: Gorham Manufacturing Company
Retailer: Spaulding & Co.

Pepper Shaker

1912

Physical Qualities Silver, 4 1/8 × 1 7/8 × 1 7/8 in. (10.5 × 4.8 × 4.8 cm.)

Credit Line Purchased as the gift of John Dorsey, Baltimore; and Friends of the American Wing Fund

Object Number 2000.381.2

George Washington Maher’s salt dish and pepper shaker for Gorham exhibit a gently hammered surface – prized evidence of hand workmanship. Both are included in Gorham’s “Martelé” (hammered) line of art nouveau silver. Here the evident marks of the hammer are somewhat obscured by whiplash lilies and a stylized monogram with initials EGK, raised on the surface of each piece. A glass liner protected the silver salt dish from its corrosive contents.

Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 2000

Inscribed: Engraved monogram "EGK"

Markings: UNDERNEATH, (engraved) 'Martele/(eagle)/(assay stamps)/9584/ZCA/SPAULDING & CO. CHICAGO'