Review: “Around Tennessee, 1820-1920”

This current exhibit at the Memphis Brooks Museum showcases Memphis and local produced silver, firearms, furniture, quilts and paintings produced from 1820-1920.

A number of fine silver pieces on display were made by Memphis Silversmiths, F.H. Clark and J. S. Curtis. Part of the collection included two early 19th century mint julep cups designed for Memphis co-founder Marcus Brutus Winchester.

Also featured was an 1820 flint lock muzzle-loader by Fort Pickering gun smith “Joc” Bean. At the time, Fort Pickering was an Indian Trading Post located just South of today’s downtown Memphis. His uncle, Russell Bean, was the first marshal of Memphis.

Several intricate Nonconnah pottery pieces are also being shown. They were produced from unusually colorful clay that lay along the banks of Nonconnah Creek.

Other interesting items include a number of quilts by Eva Lena Harrington of DeSoto County Mississippi and an ornate ladies vinaigrette made from silver and a Tennessee Black Bear’s claw.

This exhibits runs from July 5 through September 7.