Game Platter, Frederick County

Maker: Samuel Kirk & Sons (1815-1979)
Objects: Game Platter, Frederick County
Date: 1906
Medium: Sterling Silver
Dimensions: Overall length (eagle to eagle),18¼;; Overall width, 12½”
Accession number: MSA SC 1545-0924

Frederick County is represented by this game platter, which complements the size and shape of the Allegany County fillet platter. Frederick County was created in 1748 from Baltimore and Prince George's counties; it was probably named after Frederick Calvert (1731-1771), the sixth and last Lord Baltimore.

The majority of the scenes depicted on the game platter relate to Frederick County residents who played notable roles in eighteenth-century Maryland. The cornucopias flanking the Great Seal are laden with pumpkins and are surrounded by bunches of corn, flax(?), and wheat. The Cruiser is flanked by Mulberry sprigs and horse chestnut leaves. As with the other serving platters, the “USSM” monogram is engraved in the center, two eagles are applied to the sides, and the rope border surrounds the perimeter.

Scenes across the top (left to right):
1. Prospect Hall [home of Daniel Dulany the elder and younger] (number 69)
2. Great Seal of Maryland
3. All Saint’s Church [Thomas Bacon of Bacon’s Laws served as rector] (number 68)

Scenes across the bottom (right to left)
1. Rose Hill [home of Thomas Johnson, first governor of the state of Maryland] (number 67)
2. USS Maryland Cruiser
3. Conestoga Wagon (number 70)