Five o'clock teaspoon

This spoon was a gift from Stone to Adelaide Bent, his sister-in-law. Bent was a violinist, hence the musical notes from the Gregorian chant engraved on the handle. She also was a member of the Stone household until her death, at which time Annie Priest was asked to share their home.

Much of the Museum’s collection of silver by Stone was purchased from Priest. The Museum’s collection of Stone drawings and working sketches include four images of spoons bearing a similar decoration. Two additional drawings at the Smithsonian Institution illustrate spoon handles with a twisted-leaf mistletoe; this example displays straight leaves.

This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.