Images(2)

Pair of Tablespoons

Dateca. 1770-1790

Maker Joseph Toy (1748-1826)

OriginAmerica, New Jersey, Burlington and Maryland, Abingdon

MediumSilver

DimensionsOverall Length: 8 3/16”; Width of Bowl: 1 3/4"; Depth of Bowl: 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Kay Justice Ridinger in memory and honor of Charles W. Ridinger III

Object number2021-99,1&2

DescriptionTwo silver tablespoons with down turned rounded-end handles, a short midrib below, and egg-shaped bowls each with a drop topped by an eleven-lobed shell.
Label TextOriginally from Burlington, New Jersey, Toy learned the trade from Trenton silversmith John Fitch. By the late 1770s he had set up shop in Abingdon, Maryland and was producing flatware in addition to trays, teapots, and covered sugar bowls. Though this example is the only known salver by Toy, two of his surviving teapot stands have nearly identical beaded edges and padded triangular feet.

By the end of the eighteenth century Toy had left the trade, but not before he taught silversmithing to his son Isaac Nicholas Toy. In 1801 he became a Methodist minister, and followed the calling of an itinerant preacher until 1819. He died seven years later, having fathered a total of thirteen children between two wives, and leaving behind precious few pieces of his silverwork.
InscribedEach engraved “R” in sprigged script on top of the handle end.
MarkingsEach marked twice with “I.T.” in incuse within a rectangle.