Images(2)

Tablespoon

Dateca. 1760-1770

Maker Joseph Richardson, Sr. (1711-1784)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver

DimensionsOverall Length: 8”; Width of Bowl: 1 9/16; Depth of Bowl: 9/16"

Credit LineGift of Kay Justice Ridinger in memory and honor of Charles W. Ridinger III

Object number2021-75

DescriptionSilver tablespoon with an upturned Hanoverian pattern handle, a long midrib, and an oval bowl with a drop topped by a fourteen-lobed shell.
Label TextThe son of Francis Richardson Sr., Joseph Richardson, Sr. was born in Philadelphia and trained under his father in the silversmithing trade. Similarly, he trained his own sons, Joseph Jr. and Nathaniel, continuing the family dynasty as top-tier craftsmen in that city. Joseph Sr. retired from the business in 1777, and died in Philadelphia in 1784. Some of his letter and account books can be found in the collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Winterthur Museum Archives.
InscribedEngraved “S • H” in shaded block letters on the back of the handle tip.
MarkingsMarked twice with “IR” in relief within a rectangle on the back of the stem.