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Helen Campbell's Turquoise Blessing Spoon
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| Accession #: | 4429.82 |
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| Title: | Helen Campbell's Turquoise Blessing Spoon |
| Object Type: | Spoon, Souvenir |
| Participants: | |
| Physical Description: | Sterling silver spoon with a small turquoise stone embedded in an ornately decorative handle and a poem in relief in the bowl of the spoon: "DECEMBER, IF COLD DECEMBER GAVE YOU BIRTH, THE MONTH OF SNOW AND ICE AND MIRTH, PLACE ON YOUR HAND A TURQUOISE BLUE SUCCESS WILL BLESS YOU IS YOU DO. Marked STERLING with a makers' mark. |
| Description: | Souvenir spoons grew from late 19th century European leisure tourism. As wealthy Americans on their Grand Tour brought home spoons from cities and landmarks they had seen, American silversmiths began production. An 1890 Salem Witch Spoon sparked a national obsession and soon hundreds of patterns commemorated American cities and towns, famous people, historical events and significant events of the time. National exposure grew with several books on collecting and promotion via the 1893 Chicago World Fair. New mass production techniques and the collapse of the silver market also made silver more affordable. The mania continued for 30 years, waned with World War One, but remains a niche hobby worldwide. Helen Campbell collected about 100 such spoons, either purchased to represent her own travels or in the form of gifts from family and friends. |
| Category: | Campbell Collection |
| Geographical Reference: | Campbell House (Washington->Spokane County->Spokane) |
| Dimensions: |
length 5 1/4"
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| Materials/Techniques: |
sterling silver (Material)
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| Credit Line: | Museum Purchase, 2019 |
To order a reproduction, inquire about permissions, or for information about prices see:
https://www.northwestmuseum.org/collections