Emil Fuchs for Cartier H.J. Heinz sterling silver commemorative spoon
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 20th century, 1926
This antique American silver spoon, measuring 6.75 inches and weighing approximately 2.23 troy ounces, was designed by the renowned sculptor and medalist Emil Fuchs and manufactured exclusively by Cartier.
Often referred to as a "Birthday Spoon," the piece was commissioned by H.J. Heinz to be given to parents in his employ upon the birth of their children. The spoon features a distinctive figural finial depicting a mother seated on a stool holding her child, a miniature version of a bas-relief sculpture created by Fuchs. The interior bowl contains an engraved portrait of Henry James Heinz, the founder of the H.J. Heinz Company.
The back of the spoon is engraved with the name Hilda Lane Gordy and the date March 17, 1926. This piece stands as a unique intersection of industrial philanthropy and fine silver craftsmanship from the early 20th century, documented in the 1921 catalog of Emil Fuchs' representative works.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 6.75 inches
- Weight
- approximately 2.23 ozt
- Material
- sterling silver
Technical characteristics
- Type
- commemorative spoon
Design
- Bowl
- portrait of Henry James Heinz
- Finial
- Mother and Child figural cast sculpture
- Inscriptions
- Hilda Lane Gordy, March 17, 1926
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Emil Fuchs, Cartier
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.