www.925-1000.com

Some time ago there was a discussion here about filigree silver.
I believe Cheryl mentioned the Dirksen Silver Filigree Company of Freeport Illinois.
They were producing filigree silver pieces from the 1880's to around 1905.

Since I only live an hour east of there I thought I would make a trip to the local museum to see what examples of Gerrit Dirksen's work they had.
Even here in the mid-west we don't see his pieces very often. Thought I'd share some photos of what I found.
The items were in a glass case and the following pictures were shot through the glass.








Pat

Lovely pieces, thanks for sharing your visit, Patrick! My Mom has a small collection of pierced, filigree and plique-a-jour spoons, this piece bears the mark of Chicago maker Wendell, but is most likely by Dirksen as they were known to use blanks by other makers (usually A.F. Towle), though I suppose it could have been made by a Dirksen-trained smith.

~Cheryl

Hi Cheryl.

Your mom must have a good collection.
They have got some impressive pieces there too. It was worth the trip.
Just wish I could have gotten pictures of Gerrit Dirksen's marks.

Pat.

Pat & Cheryl,
Thanks for sharing all of this. I'm curious to know if Dirksen ever produced any plique work? Some of the patterns would have been ideal for it.

Regards, Tom

Hi Tom.

Gerrit Dirksen was born around 1818 in Emden, Germany. Having learned his trade in Germany he might have been familiar with plique-a-jour. However, I did not see any examples among his pieces at the museum.
The mail order catalog does not show any plique work either.

Dirksen did produce some jewelry.


For those not familiar with the plique-a-jour technique, check out enamel here:
http://www.925-1000.com/silverglossary2.html

Pat.

Forgot to post the museum website with more pictures and information.

http://www.stephcohs.org/dirksen_silverware.htm

Pat.

Dirksen Silver Filigree Co. - Freeport, Ill. - 1893

Trev.

Dirksen Silver Filigree Co. - Freeport - 1896

Trev.

WORLD'S FAIR - CHICAGO-1893

Disposition of the Jewelry Exhibits After the Fair

Chicago, Ill., Oct. 28.–The question of what would become of all the grand exhibits collected under the roof of the various great buildings is one that each visitor has many times asked himself during the closing week of the great Fair. Regret is everywhere heard that so marvelous a display of man's and woman's handiwork should pass into a mere matter of history and visionary plans for its perpetuation have crowded fast upon the minds of many. It is a pity to see the glorious spectacle pass from sight and more's the pity that concerted action can not be had looking toward the establishment of a permanent exhibit of the lines of manufacturing jewelers in New York city.

Dirksen Silver Filigree Co.:–This firm will take the exhibit to their factory at Freeport, Ill., remodel it, and send to San Francisco, where they have paid for 70 square feet at the Midwinter Fair.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 1st November 1893

Trev.

Dirksen Silver Filagree Co. - Freeport, Ill. - 1897

Trev.