Spoon
Gideon Myrick
(after 1735–about 1760)
about 1755–60
Object PlacePossibly Eastham, Massachusetts
Medium/TechniqueSilver
Dimensions4.1 x 20.3 cm (1 5/8 x 8 in.)
Credit LineGift in memory of Ruth P. and Pauline Dennis
Accession number1990.349
On View
Not on viewClassificationsSilver flatware
Collections
The sparse record of Gideon Myrick’s short life notes that “he was a goldsmith by trade; went to sea, fell overboard in the night and was drowned.” Although no birth record exists, he was probably born between 1734 and 1741 to Elizabeth Osborne (1715 – 1798) and Capt. William Myrick (d. 1742) of Eastham, on Cape Cod, who married in 1734/35.
This spoon is one of only four known to carry the “G : M” mark, which has recently been ascribed to Myrick.
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.
ProvenanceAlthough the engraved initials are unidentified, this spoon descended to the donors along with an earlier spoon (1990.348) that John Coney made for the Gibbs/Shrimpton/Hastings families of Boston and Salem.
Gideon Fairman
Gideon Fairman
mid-19th century
about 1745
1770–80
19th century