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Monumental George Sharp for J.E. Caldwell & Co. Classical Coin Silver Ladle
$4,800
£3,664.67
€4,197.33
CA$6,724.78
A$7,519.13
CHF 3,944.10
MX$91,074.66
NOK 49,786.44
SEK 47,036.16
DKK 31,328.92
About the Item
Monumental George Sharp for J.E. Caldwell & Co. Classical Coin Silver Ladle with Muse Medallion, circa 1865–1870
A sculptural and exceptional example of American Renaissance Revival silver, this monumental cast and assembled coin silver ladle was designed by renowned Philadelphia silversmith George Sharp and retailed by J.E. Caldwell & Co., circa 1865–1870. Measuring an impressive 16 inches in length and weighing 299 grams (approximately 8 troy ounces), the ladle exemplifies Sharp’s inventive approach to silver as both a functional object and a classical sculpture.
The handle is fully modeled in the round, depicting a muscular, bare-chested male torso—possibly a satyr, Silenus, or Dionysian attendant—with finely cast facial features, curled hair, and draped lower body, terminating in a floral clasp. The figure recalls the herms of ancient architecture and the mythological forms celebrated in neoclassical design. The torso functions as the handle’s grip and rises dramatically from the shaft in a deeply modeled three-dimensional form.
The bowl is of rare canted coupe form, an organic and expressive shape with flowing lines and a forward lip, ideal for pouring. A high-relief applied medallion of a classical female head—likely a Muse or nymph, rather than Medusa—is mounted at the front of the bowl. Her serene and slightly melancholic expression, framed by rope-like locks of hair, suggests allegory, beauty, and introspection. Her stylized appearance draws from Renaissance grotesques and ancient coin portraiture.
Of particular note is the functional yet fixed joining bracket between handle and bowl: a strap-like architectural connector, adorned with acanthus flourishes, which appears to float beneath the bowl in a hinge-like configuration. Though it does not pivot, it serves both a structural and decorative purpose—visually anchoring the bowl to the shaft while lending the impression of tension and suspended motion.
The ladle is unmarked by Sharp (as is typical of his more ambitious works) but bears the J.E. Caldwell & Co. retailer’s stamp and has been silver-tested to coin purity (90%). It reflects the firm’s important role in disseminating Sharp’s most sculptural designs to Philadelphia’s elite clientele during the postbellum era.
A later inscription, “JEFF TO BEN / JULY 1939,” discreetly engraved on the underside of the bowl, adds a personal and historic dimension. Likely a commemorative or affectionate gift exchanged between two individuals in the months before World War II, the inscription underscores the continued resonance and private significance such objects held long after their creation. Comparable examples by George Sharp in coin silver of this scale and sculptural ambition are represented in museum collections and rarely appear on the open market.
This monumental coin silver ladle is a museum-worthy object that bridges classical mythology, sculptural artistry, and elite American silvermaking. With its architectonic torso handle—likely representing a Satyr or Bacchic figure—and Medusa-faced bowl, it represents the pinnacle of George Sharp’s output for J.E. Caldwell & Co. This piece speaks to the American desire, in the post-Civil War era, to assert cultural sophistication through classical forms rendered in noble materials.
This ladle is not merely a serving implement but a masterpiece of 19th-century American decorative arts, where classical form, mythological symbolism, and personal narrative converge. Suitable for a museum or advanced private collection. Far more than a derivative of European Grand Tour silver, this ladle represents the intellectual and cultural ambitions of the American Renaissance Revival, a movement that flourished between the Civil War and the Centennial. Where Grand Tour pieces tended to replicate Greco-Roman forms for educational or commemorative use, this ladle exemplifies the American reinterpretation of classical themes—filtered through the lens of Renaissance ornament, allegorical symbolism, and national identity. Rather than accurately depict a specific mythological figure or archaeological form, Sharp’s design deliberately synthesizes multiple classical references—satyr, herm, and heroic nude—into an original sculptural object with expressive, architectural presence. The applied medallion of a female muse further reflects the American tendency to favor allegory and introspection over literal classical quotation. The result is a piece that belongs not in the category of European travel souvenirs but rather among the most ambitious expressions of American decorative art—meant to convey virtue, taste, and cultural literacy in a uniquely national idiom.
- Creator:J.E. Caldwell & Co. (Retailer)
- Attributed to:George Sharp (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 4 in (10.16 cm)Width: 16 in (40.64 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
- Style:American Classical (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1865-70
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: T34491stDibs: LU2592346184202
J.E. Caldwell & Co.
With intricate and refined artistry, the jewelers at J.E.Caldwell & Co. have been handcrafting illustrious watches and adornments — including cocktail rings, engagement rings and link bracelets — for nearly two centuries. The American firm, which is among the oldest silver and jewelry companies in the United States, has found acclaim with collectors and buyers worldwide.
Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, J.E. Caldwell & Co. founder James Emmott Caldwell (1813–81) apprenticed as a silversmith and subsequently trained in watchmaking under the esteemed watchmaker Samuel Ward Benedict in New York City. Following his apprenticeships, Caldwell sought work in Philadelphia, initially securing a position with a wholesale jeweler before importing watches for a jewelry manufacturer. In the late 1830s, he established a storefront of his own, in a stately marble building on Chestnut street. Caldwell partnered with James M. Bennett thereafter in order to launch a jewelry shop nearby that they called Bennett & Caldwell. With the passing of Bennett, Caldwell partnered with a former employer, John C. Farr, and changed the company name, establishing the J.E. Caldwell & Co. of today.
In 1876, Philadelphia hosted the first World’s Fair held in the United States. Alongside the Gorham Manufacturing Company — a legendary but largely overlooked American silver firm — J.E. Caldwell showcased an array of stunning jewelry and silver objects at the event’s Centennial International Exhibition. In the early 1900s, J.E. Caldwell was contracted to fashion a presentation silver tea service — more than 160 pieces — for a newly commissioned battleship, the U.S.S. Pennsylvania. The brand’s exquisite silver wares traveled at sea aboard this battleship — and later, on the U.S.S. Valley Forge — for decades.
J.E. Caldwell & Co. became known for exquisite Art Nouveau and Art Deco jewelry. Ownership of the firm passed through the family over the years before changing hands to business interests outside of the family. Today a J.E. Caldwell & Co. retail location continues to operate in Philadelphia.
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