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Hot water kettle and stand from the coffee and tea service for Rockledge Hot water kettle and stand from the coffee and tea service for Rockledge

George Washington Maher
Gorham & Co.
Spaulding & Company

c. 1912

12 5/8 x 8 3/4 x 6 5/8 in. (32.1 x 22.2 x 16.8 cm)

Gift of Ruth and Bruce Dayton in honor of Russell A. Plimpton

Accession #: 95.36.1a-c

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 ubiquitous tiger lily, one of Maher's dominant motifs for the house. Every piece also has the trapezoidal dentils, or guttae, that Maher used as architectural detailing, notably on a balustrade in the front. The handle of the hot-water kettle echoes the flattened arch so prominent on Rockledge's exterior, thus linking the building's furnishings with its façade. Because King supported his architect's vision, Maher was able to have the silver 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 Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts styles of the time with traditional silversmithing techniques. The visibly hand-hammered surface is characteristic of Arts and Crafts metalwork. The price from the retailer, Spaulding and Company of Chicago, was $1300. Serving pieces and flatware were produced to match. With its strong architectural presence and excellent design and craftsmanship, this service formed an integral part of one of the region's most progressive turn-of-the-century interiors. It is one of the only known examples of Prairie School silver.
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