Subject: Metalwork

Militia Buckle - Dug...California gold rush era militia buckle from the 1850s. The set was found in Placer county, California. The wreath is embossed BONDY BROTHERS & CO. on the belt loop cross bar. This is the only early militia wreath made that was stamped with a maker's name. The Bondy Brothers (Adolph & Joseph...possibly Leopod also) business was in New York selling accoutrements and supplies to the military and miners during the gold rush. As with other New York businesses, that were trying to capitalize on the gold rush market in California, the Bondy's opened a store in San Francisco to sell goods that were manufactured at their New York business. William Taussig & the Pollack brothers were other gold rush-based businesses that manufactured in New York and sold in San Francisco to the gold rush market. As the gold rush market declines, in 1859, the Bondy Brothers move their business to 6 Dey Street in New York City and begin to manufacture shirts. 1863 New York Directory lists Adolph dealing in shirts and Joseph working in whalebone. Whalebone. The 1875 New York directory shows both Adolph and Joseph move to 25 Howard Street and are working in ribbons. The ribbons could possibly be for Civil War veteran organizations or some sort of trimmings on hats or clothes. was used in the manufacture of ladies corsets. In the US, from 1873 to 1879, 18,000 businesses went bankrupt, including 89 railroads. Ten states and hundreds of banks went bankrupt. Unemployment peaked in 1878, Hard times for the citizens of the United States and the Bondy Brothers trying to make a living manufacturing and selling ribbons. The last listing for the Bondy Brothers appears in the 1878 New York City directory listing them as commission merchants and manufacturing ribbons in New York City and residing in New Jersey.

This metal lunchbox served as an advertising give-away for Cohen & Brumberg One Price Clothiers, who operated in Salem, Ohio, and Ironton, Ohio, around 1885. The lunchbox features a bail handle with a wooden grip and an interior that includes a tray and a glass thermos. The lid is prominently embossed with the business name "COHEN & BRUMBERG," "ONE PRICE CLOTHIERS," and their locations "SALEM O. AND IRONTON OH," set within a decorative, rectangular border. The metal construction shows wear consistent with its age. 3.

A brass and silver wash platter featuring a primitive depiction of a high priest and a soldier holding the Ten Commandments. Hebrew lettering is inscribed around the rim. The platter is designed to hang. Created circa 1900.

Brass object with a crudely cast Jewish star on top. The object dates to approximately 1800. More details about the object's purpose or origin are unavailable.

Brass object of unknown origin and purpose. The object's date is uncertain, although the donor's information suggests a possible date of 1910. Additional information is needed to clarify the date and purpose.

Cast iron charity (tzedakah) box in the shape of a safe with a locking door and coin slot. Made of green and black metal. Below the coin slot, it reads "Alms" in English and "Tzedakah" in Hebrew. Circa 1880. This item was never previously cataloged.

Ornate silver coin spoon with the hallmark "BRAVERMAN & LEVY" on the handle. Distributed in San Francisco, California, circa 1875.

A set of four coin silver teaspoons created by the silversmith S. R. Biesenthal. The spoons feature a simple, traditional design with unadorned handles and bowls, typical of mid-19th century American silverware. Each spoon is marked with "S. R. Biesenthal" on the back of the handle and is noted as having no monogram. **3.

Advertisement indicating the sale of hand-wrought gold rings and copper items at 220 Delaware Avenue. The date is unknown, but it has been estimated to be around 1900 based on contextual clues. The advertisement features M.A. Reich.

This is a four-page catalog from Joseph Miller, a New York City metal goods merchant, published in 1900. The catalog, printed in both Yiddish and English, lists prices, types, and sizes of various metal goods sold by Miller at his shop located at 25 Canal Street, New York City.

A handwritten letter from H. M. Cohen & Co. in New York, dated June 9, 1858, requesting a current price list of spoons from Luther Boardman in East Haddam, Connecticut. The letter also indicates that some cash for specific items is being forwarded. The letter is written in ornate script, typical of 19th-century correspondence. 3.

A business letter from Albert E. Schreiber & Co., located at 140 North Desplaines Street, Chicago, Illinois, to A. B. Piske dated September 20, 1883. The letter pertains to a quote for an iron shutter.

Nickel plate for a glove. The object's date of creation is unknown. The item is part of the M Collection, located in Ms. Coll. 1410, Box 4.

A four-tined silver fork. The reverse side features hallmarks including a "B" and "J.G.J", indicating it was made by Judah George Joseph (Gershom). This piece dates to circa the late 1840s and was produced by Joseph, a silversmith established in Toronto, Canada.

A silver bowl, approximately 5.5 inches in diameter, crafted to hold the inauguration medal of Henry Morgenthau Jr. The brass medal, measuring 3 inches, features Morgenthau's portrait on the obverse and the Treasury Building with the date January 1, 1934, on the reverse. The bowl appears to be a uniquely commissioned piece.

A sterling silver business card holder, likely created by Taylor Baldwin & Co. with decorative embellishments by A. Moritz Furst. The front features a finely detailed, classically-garbed female figure leaning on a rock in bas-relief, set against an ornate textured background. The case also has a matching textured pattern on the back and interior surfaces. The top of the case is engraved with the name "M. DAVIS." in a Bookman style font. This piece is a notable example of Moritz Furst's work in decorative embellishments on silverware, a lesser-known aspect of his prolific career as a U.S. Mint medalist. It represents one of the latest known examples of his decorative work, dating to the end of Taylor Baldwin & Co.'s manufacturing period.

This silver presentation cup features eight alternating fancy and plain sides, adorned with delicate engraved oak leaves and vines. The base is decorated with a beaded border. An inscription on the cup reads: "PRESENTED BY THE Y.M.F. A.R.O. NO4 TO BRO. L. LEVY," engraved in a decorative script. The cup weighs 2.9 Troy ounces and was made by J. Hyman. The item is a manufactured object gifted as a presentation. 3.

A silver spoon with the hallmark "H.B. MYER." The exact date of manufacture is unknown, but likely dates from around 1850 based on stylistic analysis of similar items. This object is part of a larger Judaica Americana collection.

This trade card advertises Siegel Brothers, clothing manufacturers, with a striking illustration of a metalwork piece from the 1889 Exposition Universelle in Paris, France. The card displays two addresses: 65 & 67 Wooster Street and 163 & 165 South Fifth Avenue. The card is a colorful and eye-catching piece, incorporating various shades of blue, gold, and red in its design. The illustration highlights the intricate details and grandeur of the metalwork exhibit, showcasing the artistic and technical advancements of the era.