Jacobi & Jenkins Baltimore Rose Sterling Silver Teaspoon
Flatware (Teaspoon) · Jacobi & Jenkins, based in Baltimore, MD. Founded originally in 1894 by William F. Jacobi and William Alvin Jenkins, they were renowned for high-quality repoussé silver, continuing the Baltimore tradition established by Samuel Kirk.
Pattern: Baltimore Rose, introduced circa 1894. This is an all-over repoussé floral pattern that was a signature style of the Baltimore silversmithing community and remains highly collectible for its intricate detail.
Type
Flatware (Teaspoon)
Maker
Jacobi & Jenkins, based in Baltimore, MD. Founded originally in 1894 by William F. Jacobi and William Alvin Jenkins, they were renowned for high-quality repoussé silver, continuing the Baltimore tradition established by Samuel Kirk.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, featuring no base metals or mixed materials.
Dimensions
Length: Approximately 5.75 to 6.0 inches (standard teaspoon size). Weight: Estimated between 25-32 grams (approx. 0.8 - 1.0 troy oz) based on typical Baltimore Rose gauge.
Description
This exquisite sterling silver spoon represents the pinnacle of Baltimore silversmithing. The Baltimore Rose pattern by Jacobi & Jenkins is a masterclass in texture, featuring a lush garden of roses and blossoms captured in high relief. The intricate handle contrasts beautifully with the sleek, polished bowl, making it a functional piece of art that reflects the opulence of late 19th-century American dining.
Key Features
Dense, deeply modeled floral repoussé; specific Baltimore-style '925/1000' fineness mark; realistic botanical accuracy in the rose petals and leaves.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, featuring no base metals or mixed materials.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé and chasing on the handle featuring roses, daisies, and foliage. The bowl features a mirror-polished interior and a smooth reverse. The handle decoration is oxidized to highlight depth and detail, typical of late Victorian floral styles.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped on the reverse of the handle: 'STERLING 925/1000 FINE' indicating purity, and the maker's mark 'JACOBI & JENKINS'. The stamping is concise and aligned with Baltimore silver marking traditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Construction Details
Die-struck and hand-chased. The base form was created using a heavy steel die, followed by hand-finishing to sharpen the floral details and create the deep texture characteristic of high-end Baltimore repoussé.
Functional Features
Ovoid bowl with a narrowed tip for stirring; ergonomic flared handle designed for grip and display. The repoussé texture provides a non-slip tactile experience.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with a rounded terminal. The decoration flows seamlessly from the neck to the end of the handle. It is an integral part of the spoon's construction, not a separate hollow-handle attachment.
Craftsmanship Details
Heavy gauge silver; evidence of hand-chased sharpening in the flower centers; clean, finished edges with no flash or casting seams. The weight and balance indicate a high manufacture standard.
Authentication Indicators
The maker's name is clearly struck in the correct period font; the silver fineness mark is consistent with late 19th-century American standards; the oxidation is appropriate for age; the weight feels substantial rather than thin like modern reproductions.
Origin & Manufacturing
Manufactured in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Baltimore was the epicenter of the American repoussé style, characterized by dense, realistic floral patterns influenced by earlier European rococo revival.
Era & Period
Late Victorian / Gilded Age (c. 1890-1910). The item reflects the American obsession with ornate floral motifs and dense decoration popular during this period of industrial wealth.
Age Estimate
Circa 1894-1905. The specific 'Jacobi & Jenkins' mark was used during this partnership before the firm became Jacobi & Co. and eventually ceased production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Baltimore Style,' a unique regional American aesthetic that resisted the trend toward flatter, simpler Art Nouveau designs elsewhere in the country, symbolizing Southern hospitality and traditional wealth.
Condition Notes
Excellent condition. The repoussé remains crisp with minimal softening. Surface shows light micro-scratching (patina) consistent with age. No evidence of monogram removal or bowl thinning. Grade: Excellent.
Value Estimate
$45 - $75 USD for a single teaspoon. Factors including the lack of monograms and the crispness of the repoussé work place this at the higher end of the individual flatware market.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality silver cream (e.g., Wright's) using a soft-bristled brush to reach the crevices of the roses. Avoid 'dips' as they will strip the desirable dark oxidation from the recessed areas of the flowers.
Similar Pieces
Kirk-Stieff Repoussé (similar but often lighter weight), Schofield Rose, and Gorham's Strasbourg (less floral). The Jacobi & Jenkins version is often sought for its heavier gauge and sharper chasing.
Interesting Facts
While Stieff and Kirk are the most famous Baltimore names, Jacobi & Jenkins was considered a high-tier competitor whose craftsmanship often surpassed the larger factories in individual detail work. Baltimore Rose is essentially the American version of the ornate European 'Kings' pattern in terms of prestige.