John Wendt (attr) Antique Coin Silver Terrapin Soup Ladle, NYC, NY, c. 1870

This is a lovely and rare terrapin soup ladle. It features a wonderfully cast turtle applied to the shield-shaped top of the handle with a screw. The back is monogrammed with a script 'MBJ.' The elongated bowl, similar to published examples of silver by Wendt (who also used screw attachments) (1), is a lovely design with simple swirl impressions and a gilt surface.

This magnificent ladle is marked by the Philadelphia retailer 'J.E CALDWELL & C0.' It measures 12 inches long, weighs 4.15 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.

Endnote:

1. Dale E. Bennett, "Tracking the Last Wendt Patterns" in Silver Magazine, May/ June 2011, p. 19.