Material

iron

Dimensions

Overall: 12 3/4 x 1 3/8 x 1/2in. (32.4 x 3.5 x 1.3cm)

Creation Date

circa 1780 – 1840

Description

Wrought iron spatula with a two-stage shaped handle and a narrow rectangular blade. The top portion of the handle is of flat section with a punched scalloped decoration along its sides and a curled hanging loop formed at the tip. What looks like JC(?), the initials of the owner, is also punched into the handle below the terminal. The lower end of the handle is of round section and flattens out into the narrow, rectangular blade, which is punch-decorated with what appears to be a plant growing from a handled pot.

Also called a "turner," the common spatula found in early American kitchens is essentially identical to those in use today. This bladed tool is just the thing to flip over whatever delicacy one was cooking, either on a griddle or in pan or skillet. Can you imagine trying to make pancakes without one? Once the food preparation was done, a spatula was ideal to scrape the bottom of the cooking vessel clean with.

Likely made in Pennsylvania, this rather plain spatula was embellished with a little bit of file work where the two sections of the handle meet and some punched-in decoration. The blade carries what appears to be a potted plant, while the broad portion of the handle has scalloped borders and the initials of the owner, likely "JC."

Marks/Inscription

JC(?) is punched into the handle below the terminal.

Provenance

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Museum Purchase.

Kitchen Artifact ID

Acc. No. 1979.808.4