Wilhelmina Stephan Arts and Crafts Sterling Tea Caddy Spoon, Cleveland, OH, c. 1920

This exquisite tea caddy spoon is in the shape of leaves. It is hand-raised with a flat center and curved sides. The interior is engraved with an 'SD' monogram. The attached handle resembles a twisting, coiled vine. This rare caddy spoon exhibits lovely hammering to its surface.

Wilhelmina Puls Stephan (1879-1947) was a metalworker, enamelist, and weaver who worked as an independent artist and teacher during the arts & crafts movement in Cleveland, OH. Having grown up in an artistic household, she attended the Cleveland School of Art, studied enameling with Alexander Fisher in London, and at times was associated with Horace Potter and later the Rokesley Shop, both of Cleveland. 

She exhibited extensively: in collaboration with Potter at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1905 and the Boston Society of Arts & Crafts' 1907 Exhibition, and with the Rokesley Shop at the 1914 Art Institute of Chicago exhibition. She was represented in many Cleveland area shows at the Cleveland Art Association and Cleveland Museum of Art. As the Cleveland Plain Dealer noted in 1927, "Miss Stephan has a record of artistic triumphs...." (1)

This rare item is marked underneath 'STEPHAN/ STERLING' and with the symbol of a billy club. It measures 3.25 inches long, weigh 0.80 troy ounces, and is in excellent condition.

Endnote:

Grace V. Kelly, "Girls, Experts at Weaving, Have Display and Workshop" in The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 11, 1927, Dramatic and Feature Section, p. 3.