Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Ice Cream Platter and Serving Fork, Montgomery County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Platter: Overall height, 1 1/8; Overall width, 15 ½; Overall depth: 9”
Dimensions: Fork: Overall length, 11 1/8; Overall width, 3 ½”
Accession number(s): MSA SC 1545-0918-1 and MSA SC 1545-0918-2
This ice cream platter represents Montgomery County, which was created by the Constitution of 1776 and named for General Richard Montgomery who was killed in the invasion of Quebec in 1775. The right side of the platter is decorated with cherries and strawberries, while the left side is decorated with wheat sprays, pumpkins, beets and eggplant. Sprays of oak, chestnut and hemlock surround the Great Seal and the Cruiser.
The handle of the fork is formed from a reproduction of a “crownstone” marker of the Mason-Dixon Line. These large limestone markers were placed every five miles along the Mason-Dixon Line, and were decorated with the coats-of-arms of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Scenes across the top (left to right):
1. Greenwood (number 119)
2. Great Seal of Maryland
3. Cabin John Bridge (number 117)
Scenes across the bottom (left to right)
1. Brookeville Academy (number 118)
2. Cruiser Maryland
3. “Clean Drinking” Manor (number 120)