Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Coffee Waiter, Prince George’s County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Overall length (eagle to eagle): 14¼; Overall width, ??
Accession number: MSA SC 1545-0922
Prince George’s County is represented by this footed coffee waiter, which accommodates the display of the four-piece coffee service. The county was erected from Calvert and Charles counties in 1695. It was named for Prince George of Denmark (1653-1708), the husband of Queen Anne (1665-1714), who ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1702 to 1714.
The scenes depicted on the coffee waiter represent the early history of Prince George’s County. The Great Seal and the Cruiser are both flanked by sprays of oak, yellow pine, chestnut, tobacco, corn, and other native plants; cornucopias on either side of the seal contain an array of native fruits and vegetables. As with the other servers, the “USSM” monogram is engraved in the center, two eagles are applied to the sides, and the rope border surrounds the perimeter. Curiously, none of the scenes on this particular piece are numbered.
Scenes across the top (left to right):
1. St. John’s Church, Broad Creek (number 150)
2. Great Seal of Maryland
3. Harmony Hall on Broad Creek (number 151)
Scenes across the bottom (right to left)
1. Marlboro House (number 148)
2. USS Maryland Cruiser
3. Maryland Agricultural College [University of Maryland] (number 149)