J.S. MacDonald Co. Floral Repoussé Sterling Silver Bon Bon Spoon
Flatware - Serving Piece (Bon Bon or Nut Spoon) · J.S. MacDonald Co. of Baltimore, Maryland. Established in the late 19th century, MacDonald was a reputable Southern jeweler and silversmithing firm known for high-quality retail and locally produced silver items, often competing with larger firms like Kirk & Son.
Pattern: Floral Repoussé (Baltimore Style), Multi-motif floral design, Introduced late 19th Century, Discontinued.
Type
Flatware - Serving Piece (Bon Bon or Nut Spoon)
Maker
J.S. MacDonald Co. of Baltimore, Maryland. Established in the late 19th century, MacDonald was a reputable Southern jeweler and silversmithing firm known for high-quality retail and locally produced silver items, often competing with larger firms like Kirk & Son.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, including the handle and the flat circular bowl.
Dimensions
Estimated length: 4.5 to 5.5 inches. Estimated weight: 25-35 grams. The bowl is a flat, circular disc designed for lifting small confections or nuts.
Description
An exquisite example of Baltimore-style silver, this bon bon spoon by J.S. MacDonald Co. showcases the ornate floral repoussé craftsmanship for which the region is famous. The handle is a botanical tapestry of deeply embossed blossoms, transitioning into a perfectly flat, mirror-polished circular bowl. The center of the bowl features a masterful hand-engraved monogram that anchors the design, making it a quintessential piece of Gilded Age serving ware.
Key Features
Dense, high-relief floral handle (Baltimore Style); Flat, unpierced circular serving bowl; Maker's mark for a notable Southern regional smith; Sophisticated turn-of-the-century script monogram.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity). The piece is solid silver throughout, including the handle and the flat circular bowl.
Finish & Decoration
High-relief repoussé and chased floral handle featuring roses, daisies, and foliage. The bowl is bright-polished with a large, interlocking script monogram engraved in the center. The style is classic American Victorian/Edwardian 'Baltimore Silver' characterized by dense floral ornamentation.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The reverse of the handle is stamped 'STERLING' indicating .925 silver purity, and 'J.S. MacDONALD CO' which serves as the manufacturer/retailer mark. The stamps are incised in sans-serif block lettering.
Construction Details
Die-struck and chased handle with a soldered or integrally forged flat bowl. The elaborate floral textures were achieved using steel dies that press the design into the silver from both sides.
Functional Features
Flat, non-pierced circular bowl specifically designed for serving bon bons, chocolates, or petit fours. The rigid handle provides leverage for lifting delicate sweets without damaging them.
Handle & Grip Details
Solid sterling silver handle with an anatomical flare toward the terminal. The repoussé texture provides an excellent non-slip grip and hides fingerprints effectively.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality die-work. The transition from the textured handle to the smooth bowl is seamless. The hand-engraving in the monogram shows varying widths of the 'bright cut' line, evidence of a master engraver's steady hand rather than a machine.
Authentication Indicators
Authentic period stamps with appropriate wear. The 'Baltimore' style of repoussé on the handle matches known MacDonald production. The oxidation in the deep recesses of the floral pattern is consistent with natural aging.
Origin & Manufacturing
Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Baltimore was a significant hub for repoussé silver, home to the famous S. Kirk & Son and Samuel Stieff firms whose styles MacDonald emulated.
Era & Period
Late Victorian to early Edwardian (1890-1910). The Baltimore floral style was at its peak during this period, popularized by the 'Maryland Rose' aesthetic.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900. The specific typeface of the 'STERLING' mark and the style of the interlocking script monogram are highly indicative of the turn of the 20th century.
Cultural Significance
Represented the formal 'Service à la Française' and 'Service à la Russe' dining traditions of the American elite, where specialized tools were required for every course, including the confectionery/candy course.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Excellent. The repoussé detail remains crisp with minimal smoothing. The bowl shows light surface 'spider web' scratches consistent with age and polishing. No signs of silver loss or structural repairs. Monogram is original and deep.
Value Estimate
$75 - $125 USD. Value is driven by the popularity of the Baltimore floral style and the specific desirability of serving pieces over standard flatware.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a high-quality cream polish like Wright's Silver Cream using a soft horsehair brush to reach into the floral recesses. Avoid 'dip' cleaners which strip the desirable oxidation (patina) from the handle's depths. Store in a tarnish-resistant silver cloth roll.
Similar Pieces
S. Kirk & Son 'Repousse' bon bon spoons (usually have more pointed bowls); Stieff 'Rose' pattern servers; Gorham 'Strasbourg' or 'Buttercup' serving pieces (which feature less relief than the Baltimore style).
Interesting Facts
J.S. MacDonald was often the jeweler of choice for prominent Maryland families who wanted the 'Kirk' look but with the exclusivity of a smaller boutique maker. Baltimore remains the only city in the world with a distinct, commercially successful 'Repoussé' tradition that lasted over a century.