Palmetto Dish – Silver

Palmetto Dish

South Carolina is known as the “Palmetto State” not only for the abundance of Sabal Palmetto trees, the state tree, that are ample along the coast, but also for the important role the tree played in the American Revolution. Palmetto logs and sand were used by American Patriots to build a fort on Sullivan’s Island to protect Charleston in anticipation of a British attack. On June 28, 1776, the British military attacked the Patriot fort from the sea, but they were unsuccessful due to the cannon balls sinking into the spongy fibrous palmetto logs and sand. The American victory that day over the British at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island was a turning point in the war and led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

My two great-great-great-great-great grandfathers, Captain Joshua Hadley of the North Carolina Continental Line and Robert Martin of the South Carolina Militia, fought in the battle that day. In 1946, one hundred and seventy years later, their great-great-great grandchildren, my grandparents James William Franklin and Theodocia Kaminer Martin, married. I feel very fortunate the little palmetto fort was able to repel the aggression of the British as the outcome may not have been the same.

The palmetto tree became a proud state symbol and appears on the state seal, adopted in 1777, and on the state flag. Also included on the state flag is a crescent moon or Gorget that relates to the same battle. The palmetto tree and Gorget have inspired two of my jewelry collections and can be viewed in the Jewelry category of my website Shop.

Conceptually I have continued that theme of the strength and fortitude of the palmetto tree in this silver dish and the design visually references palmetto fronds. The radiating shapes were pierced by hand to echo the way light breaks through palmetto leaves. The dish has a gentle curving contour and is supported by a small oval foot underneath, which provides stability and slight elevation. Both the interior and exterior have a high shine, mirror finish.

High polish finish

* This silver dish is part of Helena Fox Fine Art’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition that is on view at their downtown Charleston, SC gallery November 2 – December 23 during regular gallery hours. Contact them to purchase at https://helenafoxfineart.com/