Pickle Dish and Spear
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase from Decorative Arts Association Acquisition Fund in memory of Dona Guimaraes
Accession Number
1993-48-4-a,b
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Pickle Dish and Spear** *Wood & Hughes, New York, U.S.A., 1845–1899, 1871–1899* *Metalwork, Smithsonian American Art Museum* Crafted by the esteemed New York silversmith firm Wood & Hughes, active from 1845 to 1899, this *Pickle Dish and Spear* exemplifies mid-to-late 19th-century American metalwork. Produced sometime between 1871 and 1899, it reflects the firm's reputation for finely wrought silver tableware during the Victorian era, a time when ornate domestic objects symbolized prosperity and refined taste in growing American cities. As a specialized serving piece, the dish and accompanying spear were designed for preserving and presenting pickles—a popular condiment in Gilded Age households. Wood & Hughes specialized in such functional yet elegant silverware, often featuring intricate chasing, engraving, or repoussé techniques to elevate everyday dining. Acquired through the museum's Decorative Arts Association Acquisition Fund in memory of Dona Guimaraes, this piece highlights the evolution of American craftsmanship amid industrialization. Though research continues, *Pickle Dish and Spear* offers a glimpse into 19th-century domestic life, where silver services bridged European traditions and American innovation, gracing tables of the emerging middle and upper classes. A testament to Wood & Hughes' enduring legacy, it invites us to savor the artistry hidden in the details of daily ritual.