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Charles County (Cream Pitcher & Sugar Bowl)

From the USS Maryland Silver Service

Cream Pitcher& Sugar Bowl, Charles County

Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Cream Pitcher& Sugar Bowl, Charles County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Cream Pitcher: [unknown at present time]
Dimensions: Sugar Bowl: Overall height: 5 5/16”; Overall width: 6 7/8”
MSA SC 1545-0928 (cream pitcher); MSA SC 1545-0940 (sugar bowl)

Charles County is the only county that is represented by two different pieces, the sugar bowl and cream pitcher. Both of these pieces are on loan to the U.S. Navy for display on the USS Maryland SSBN 738, where they are displayed with two Garrett County candlesticks. 

Charles County was created in 1658 by an Order in Council; it is not to be confused with an earlier Charles County (1650-1653) known as Old Charles County. The current County was named for Charles Calvert (1637-1715), 3rd Lord Baltimore.

The design of both pieces is quite similar, as both are decorated with cherries, strawberries and blackberries on the upper sections, while festoons of tobacco leaves separate the scenes on the lower sections. The upper sections both feature a “border of progress and innovation,” while the lower sections are each adorned with three scenes specific to the county. An eagle mounted on a blackberry bramble sits atop the lid of the sugar bowl.

Scenes on the Sugar Bowl

Clerk's Office, Port Tobacco (number 138)
Havre-de-Venture (number 139)
Silk Cocoons (number 140)
First Telegraph Set (number 141)

Scenes on the Cream Pitcher

Trinity Church Rectory (number 142)
Oxen and Cart at Port Tobacco (number 143)
Register's Office and Christ Church, Port Tobacco (number 144)
First Steel Pen (number 145)
Cokesbury Bell (number 146)
Silk Cocoons and Mulberry Leaves (number 147)

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© Copyright October 06, 2022 Maryland State Archives