1894 Sterling Souvenir Spoon Calif Mid Winter Fair Oriental Controversy Rickshaw
Sterling Silver Souvenir Spoon from the 1894 California Mid Winter Fair / Exposition. On the handle enamel “Mid Winter Fair” with a California Gizzle Bear on top. In the bowl an image of a Jinrikishas, with faded gold wash. The theme for 1894 was “An Orientalist Exposition”. Controversial part of the plan was to have Jinrikishas pulled by Japanese Men moving people around the fair. However Japanese men refused to do it because they felt it degrading and make them a beast of burden. So the Rickshaws were pulled by white men in Japanese costumes. 4, marked sterling on the back, not sure who the maker was. Excellent condition, see pictures, one black spot on the tip of the bowl on the back.