COIN SILVER MEDALLION LADLE/HUGE 15-1/2 IN./C. 1860-70 FIGURESQUE FEMALE

This fabulous female figural medallion coin silver soup ladle was crafted by Wood & Hughes (see incised mark) circa 1860-1870. The New York City firm of Wood & Hughes was active between 1845 and 1899 and can be traced back to William Gale, under whom Jacob Wood and Jasper W. Hughes apprenticed. The ladle’s 5-inch x 1-7/8 inch handle is decoratd with a figuresque medallion of a woman’s head that measures 2-1/8 x 1-1/2 inches. The gold washed bowl is 5 x 5 inches. The overall length of this incredible ladle is 15-1/2 inches. It is one of the largest and best of its type that I have seen. By 1860, Wood & Hughes had a labor force of 90 men and 6 women and a six-horse-powered steam engine that assisted in the operation of six rolling mills to prepare sheet silver and decorative die-rolled trims, and 18 lathes for turning holloware bodies.