Calvert County Coffee Pot

Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Coffee Pot, Calvert County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Overall height: 12”???; Overall length: 7 ¾” (????); Overall width: 6”; Diameter of base: 3 ½” CHECK DIMENSIONS
Accession number(s): MSA SC 1545-0932

The USS Maryland silver service included four-piece coffee service that represented Calvert, Charles, and Prince George’s counties. The history of Calvert County is represented in the coffee pot. In 1654, Calvert County was established by an Order in Council and called Patuxent County until 1658. Its name derives from the Calvert family.

In addition to the historical scenes engraved on the coffee pot, the additional ornamentation illustrates the varied foliage of the county. The upper portion of the coffee pot is engraved with cherries, peaches, grapes and strawberries, while the scenes on the lower portion are bordered by tobacco leaves. Cornucopias form the handle and spout, while the base is adorned by oyster shells.

Scenes: (left to right, top to bottom)
1. Bell from Middleham Chapel (number 136)
2. Great Seal of Maryland
3. First Telegraph (number 137)
4. “Preston-at-Patuxent” or “Charles’ Gift” (number 133)

Scenes on the reverse (left to right, top to bottom)
1. Silk Cocoons and Mulberry Leaves (number 135)
2. USS Maryland cruiser
3. Middleham Chapel (number 134)