Cream Ladle
Dateca. 1780
Maker
René Bridon
(1745 - after 1792)
OriginEurope, France, Nantes
MediumSilver
DimensionsOL: 5 3/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund
Object number2016-58,4B
DescriptionSilver cream ladle with shallow, flat-bottomed circular bowl with rounded back drop and long, tapering, down-turned oval handle with slight tip on back and with beaded edge. No visible marks struck on cream ladleLabel TextWhen Abraham Van Bibber (1743-1805) of the Dutch West Indies married Sarah Chew (1734-1795) of Maryland in 1780, the American Revolution precluded the newlyweds from purchasing English-made silver. Instead, the Van Bibbers turned to France to acquire an assemblage of stylish wares for serving tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. During the second half of the eighteenth century, René Bridon (working ca. 1757-1791) was the leading silversmith in Nantes, France’s principal center for the export trade. Bridon’s workshop fashioned a large silver service boldly embellished with the entwined engraved monogram “ASVB” to furnish the Van Bibber’s needs. Today, a coffeepot and stand, teapot, cream pail and ladle, two canns for alcoholic beverages, and several tablespoons dating to 1780-81 survive from this commission.
An astute businessman, AbrahamVan Bibber supplied large quantities of gunpowder to Maryland and Virginia during the Revolution. He purchased land in both colonies, ultimately residing at Paradise plantation near Baltimore. Abraham and Sarah’s French silver descended in the family until its recent acquisition by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
InscribedEngraved lengthwise in conjoined sprigged script on upper end of handle “ASVB”
ca. 1820
ca.1800
ca.1790-1810
1761-1762
1802-1813
ca. 1807-1819
ca. 1815
1832-1837
ca. 1825
1762-1763
1801
ca. 1810