Samuel Kirk

  General notes:

Silversmith

  Events in his life were:

• Kirk is best known for the extensive use of repousse, an ancient technique that had fallen out of fashion during the Colonial period. Kirk's revival of repousse was so innovative, both stylistically and technically, that it set the style for fine silver all over the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. In recent years many people have disparaged Kirk repousse as being an example of late Victorian exuberance; however, Samuel Kirk's repousse designs date as early as 1826 and were so influential that "Maryland Silver" was long the popular name for this repousse style, no matter where or by whom a piece had been made. It should also be pointed out that Samuel Kirk make exemplary pieces of silver in other styles as well. ²⁸

• Apprenticed in 1810 to James Howell in Philadelphia PA ¹

• He was a partner from 1815 to 1820 with John Smith in Baltimore MD from shop at 30 Baltimore Street. ²⁸

• He worked from 1820 to 1826 as a silversmith in Baltimore MD at 30 Baltimore Street. ²⁸

• Urn, 1820-1830
Private Collection
h: 15½"
wt: 64 oz

• He worked from 1826 to 1830 as a silversmith in Baltimore MD from new shop at 140 Baltimore Street. ²⁸

• Hot milk jug, 1828
Baltimore Museum Art ²⁸
h: 7 3/8"
d: 2 13/16" (base)
wt: 15 oz, 15 dwt
Marked with 1828 assay marks. The hot milk jug is a rare form in American silver and this is an unusually early example of fully-devloped scenic repossé work.

• He worked from 1831 to 1846 as a silversmith in Baltimore MD from shop at 144 Baltimore Street. ²⁸

• He was a partner from 1846 to 1861 with Henry Child Kirk in Baltimore MD as S. KIRK & SON at 172 Baltimore Street. ²⁸

• Advertisement, 1852
Maryland Historical Society ²⁸
From Baltimore Directory

• Lable, 1861-1868
Private Collection

• He was a partner from 1861 to 1868 with Henry, Charles, and Edward Kirk in Baltimore MD as S. KIRK & SONS at 172 Baltimore Street. ²⁸

• Receipt from Samuel Kirk & Son, 1868
Maryland Historical Society

• Hot water kettle on stand, c 1870
Private Collection
h:13.1/8"
wt: 67.4 troy oz
From the assembled repossee tea service owned by Anna (Hall) Roosevelt and passing to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Samuel married Albina Powell on 18 Mar 1817 in Baltimore MD. (Albina Powell was born on 28 Oct 1796 in Philadelphia PA and died on 23 Dec 1865.)