John Wendt 'Medallion' Pattern Antique Sterling Silver Cream Ladle, NYC, c. 1860s

A beautiful profile portrait adorns the top of this wonderful sauce ladle in Wendt's 'Medallion' pattern. The 3-dimensional bust is stunning against the lined background within an oval surmounted by a ball. The figure is of the Roman Goddess Minerva. (1) The oval portrait medallion rests atop an Egyptian lotus blossom, and the handle has a rosette at the midpoint. The gilt bowl is helmet-shaped with a graceful pouring spout and an applied medallion opposite the spout.

Provenance: Private Collection.

This wonderful ladle is marked on the back 'PATENT/ 925/ PATENT' and by the great New York City retailer 'BALL, BLACK & Co.' It measures 7 inches long, weighs 1.75 troy ounces, and is in excellent antique condition.

Endnote:

1. D. Albert Soeffing, Silver Medallion Flatware, New Books, Inc, New York City, 1988, p. 76-77.