Rare New Orleans, Louisiana Creole coin silver soup or punch ladle, circa 1815, by Pierre Lamothe in the Mid Rib Fiddle or Uniplat (French) pattern, with broad flat bowl. Marked "P. Lamothe" in rectangle; reverse of handle with worn script letter monogram. 12-3/4"L, 6.155 oz troy. Note: According to "Crescent City Silver" (pub. by The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1980), Pierre Lamothe was a member of a New Orleans silversmithing dynasty which included his father in law, Jean Couvertie, his brothers-in-law, his sons Jean-Baptiste and Jean-Marie, at least one grandson, and several nephews. Pierre Lamothe lived for awhile in Santo Domingo, where he married his wife, but they fled to Cuba during the slave uprisings. When the French were expelled from Cuba, Lamothe brought his family to New Orleans (by 1810). By 1821, he was working with his son Jean-Marie under the name of Lamothe et Fils; he is last listed in the 1823 city directory. Provenance: the collection of John Montague, Memphis, Tenn. CONDITION: 2 repaired tears to side of bowl, wear to rib and monogram, several tiny dents to bowl.