Hot water kettle and stand from the coffee and tea service for Rockledge, c. 1912
Silver and ivoryexpand_more
Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton in honor of Russell A. Plimptonexpand_more 95.36.1a-c
On View in Gallery 300expand_more
The coffee and tea service that Maher designed for Rockledge illustrates his adherence to the progressive idea of a unified interior. Emblazoned on each piece, along with the King monogram, is the tiger lily, one of Maher's dominant motifs for the house. Every piece has the trapezoidal dentils (guttae) that Maher used as architectural detailing, notably on the home's exterior balustrade. The handle of the hot-water kettle echoes the prominent flattened arch of Rockledge's exterior, linking the building's furnishings with its façade.
Maher had the service manufactured to the highest standards. It was custom-made by the Gorham Manufacturing Company as part of Gorham's exclusive "Martelé" line, which combined the popular styles of the time with traditional silversmithing techniques. The visibly hand-hammered surface is characteristic of Arts and Crafts metalwork. The retailer, Spaulding and Company of Chicago, charged $1,300 for what is now one of the only known examples of Prairie School silver.
Details
- Title
- Hot water kettle and stand from the coffee and tea service for Rockledge
- Artist Life
- 1864–1926
- Role
- Designer
- Accession Number
- 95.36.1a-c
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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