Centerpiece and Plateau, Anne Arundel County

Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Centerpiece and Plateau,  Anne Arundel County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Overall Height: 13 1/8; Overall width, 25½; Overall depth, 15 ½”
Dimensions: Centerpiece: Overall height: 10 15/16”; Overall width (eagle to eagle):25½”; Overall depth: 15½”
Dimensions: Plateau: Overall height: 2 3/16; Overall width, 18¼; Overall depth, 10”
Accession number: MSA SC 1545-938-1 (centerpiece); MSA SC 1545-0938-2 (plateau)

The Anne Arundel County centerpiece is one of the most impressive and elaborately decorated pieces in the silver service. This exceptionally detailed piece is supported by a plateau, and two large eagles with outspread wings sit with their talons gripping the rim above the Great Seal and the Cruiser Maryland. The centerpiece was later fitted with a flower grate, also made by Kirk, to accommodate floral displays; the flower grate is not displayed in this exhibition. Anne Arundel County was created in 1650, and was named for Lady Anne Arundell (1615-1649), the wife of Cecilius Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore.

The centerpiece is decorated with four principal scenes, each separated by tobacco leaves, and an additional eight small scenes, separated by local flowers, form the border of progress and innovation along the top. The Great Seal and USS Maryland Cruiser are surrounded by a wreath composed of oak, horse chestnut and mulberry leaves. Inverted cornucopias filled with fruits, vegetables and grains form the handlers, while a border of oyster shells forms the base of the centerpiece. The plateau contains an additional eight historical scenes. A rope border forms the bases of the centerpiece and plateau.

Centerpiece:
Scenes around the upper portion (left to right):
1. First type revolving press (number 28)
2. First linotype machine (number 29)
3. Seal of the first dental college (number 22)
4. First petition for naturalization (number 23)

Scenes around the center (left to right):
1. Old cadet quarters, United States Naval Academy (number 20)
2. Great Seal of Maryland
3. Maryland State House (number 21)

Scenes along the top on the reverse (left to right):
1. The Maryland Gazette, May 24, 1745 (number 24)
2. First theater in Maryland (number 25)
3. The Sun Iron Building [Baltimore] (number 26)
4. First Passenger Railroad Coach, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (number 27)

Scenes around the center (on reverse side):
1. Battle of Horn Point, 1655 (number 18)
2. USS Maryland Cruiser
3. The Burning of the Peggy Stewart (number 19)

Plateau:
Scenes (left to right):
1. Hanson(number 31) /Carroll (number 30)
2. Typical maritime scene on the Chesapeake Bay (number 34)
3. Chase-Lloyd House (number 33)
4. Dorsey House (number 37)
5. Carroll/Hanson

Scenes on the reverse (left to right):
1. Oyster Tonging on the Severn River (number 35)
2. Peggy Stewart House (number 32)
3, The Old Treasury Building (number 36)