Pair of spoons
Mildred Watkins served as a guiding creative force within the dynamic and innovative community of Arts and Crafts artists in Cleveland, Ohio. The Arts and Crafts Movement’s interest in reviving medieval techniques of enameling found particularly skilled and inventive expression in Watkins’ work, as evident in the subtle textures and jewel-like effect achieved in the delicate white flowers on these spoons.
After graduating from the Cleveland School of Art in 1901, Watkins spent time in Boston studying metalsmithing with the silversmith George C. Gebelein and enameling with Laurin Hovey Martin. Best known for her enameled work, Watkins was active throughout her life as a metalsmith and jeweler. She taught at the Cleveland School of Art (later the Cleveland Institute of Art) from 1918 to 1953 and studied and worked with many of her fellow Cleveland metalsmiths including Horace Potter, Jane Carson, and Frances Barnum.
After graduating from the Cleveland School of Art in 1901, Watkins spent time in Boston studying metalsmithing with the silversmith George C. Gebelein and enameling with Laurin Hovey Martin. Best known for her enameled work, Watkins was active throughout her life as a metalsmith and jeweler. She taught at the Cleveland School of Art (later the Cleveland Institute of Art) from 1918 to 1953 and studied and worked with many of her fellow Cleveland metalsmiths including Horace Potter, Jane Carson, and Frances Barnum.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pair of spoons
- Maker: Mildred Watkins (American, 1883-1968)
- Date: ca. 1908
- Geography: Made in Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Silver and enamel
- Dimensions: 5/8 × 1/2 × 3 1/4 in. (1.6 × 1.3 × 8.3 cm) each
- Credit Line: Gift of Drs. Bruce Barnes and Joseph Cunningham, in honor of Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.228.6.1, .2
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Horace E. Potter
ca. 1907
Frank Lloyd Wright
The Van Dorn Iron Works Company
ca. 1904
Carson and Barnum
ca. 1902–5
Robert Sturm
ca. 1910
Robert Sturm
ca. 1910
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.