Coin-silver soup ladle made by Solomon Ralph Biesenthal of Louisville, Kentucky (1829-1903). Engraved “Remember Jetta Gerstley.” Marked: “SRBiesenthal Louisville.” The ladle is dated circa 1854, based on Jetta Gerslet's marriage to Solomon Schoenfeld in 1854. The style of the ladle correlates with the mid-19th century. The inscription is a loving reminder to the bride of her former identity. There's no indication the couple remained in Louisville; a Jetty Schoenfeld died in Brooklyn, New York in 1902. The object's provenance is from the private collection of S & B B of VA, patrons and purveyors of Virginia and early Southern material culture. Additional information about the maker, Solomon Ralph Biesenthal, his life in Louisville, Kentucky, and the socio-economic context of Jewish silversmiths in the antebellum American South is included in the accompanying documentation.
Subject: Silversmithing
No additional authority information available for Silversmithing.
Set of five coin silver teaspoons made by Solomon Ralph Biesenthal of Louisville, Kentucky (1829-1903). Engraved "MF." Marked: "SRBiesenthal." The teaspoons are dated circa 1854. The style correlates with the middle 19th century. Accompanied by an article, "Kentucky's Unknown Story of Jewish Silver," by Gary Dean Gardner, which details the life and work of Biesenthal, including his struggles with antisemitism and financial hardship in antebellum Louisville. The article also discusses the broader context of Jewish silversmiths in the American South and the limited historical documentation available on this community.
Silver teaspoon, engraved with the initials "A B" and the hallmark "H. HYMAN, RHD." This is teaspoon #3 of a three-piece set. Henry S. Hyman was a silversmith active in New York, NY (c. 1832 and 1855-1866) and Richmond, VA (1835-1855). He should not be confused with an earlier Henry Hyman of Lexington, KY. Circa 1840.
This trade card for Hy. Loewenstein, The Jeweler, located at 1230 S. Broadway (near the French Market) in St. Louis, Missouri, advertises their services. The business is presented as the only jewelry manufacturer south of Market Street where jewelry is made while you wait. They also pay the highest cash price for old gold and silver, and can work them into desired articles. Services include sales of diamonds, watches, clocks, jewelry, and silverware, as well as fine watch repairing and free jewelry cleaning. The front of the card features a decorative rebus puzzle that reads "A key = music note to Fortune. Strike the iron while it is hot!", with ornate, stylized lettering in red and gold, enclosed by a red border. 3.