Images(7)

Entrée Dish

Dateca. 1820

Marked by Floyd Smith (working ca. 1815-1836)

OriginAmerica, New York (possibly)

MediumSilver

DimensionsAssembled: OW: 12"; OH: 5 9/16"; OD: 8 7/8" A (body): OH: 1 3/4"; OW: 12"; OD: 8 7/8" B (lid without finial): OH: 1 3/4"; OW: 11 3/8"; OD 8 1/8" C (finial): OH 2 1/4"; OW: 2 5/8"; OD 15/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Robert F. Grossman

Object number2017-312,A-C

DescriptionEntrée dish or vegetable dish of rectangular cushion form comprised of rectangular base dish with rounded corners and narrow horizontal rim with gadroon border. Slightly smaller rectangular lid fits inside gadroon border of base. Lid with rounded corners, narrow horizontal rim with gadroon border on bottom edge, rounded rectangular band of gadrooning on the top of lid, and circular ring of gadrooning in center of lid around bayonet fastening for finial. Note that with the finial removed, lid can be inverted to form an open serving dish with gadroon border; gadroon pattern on upper surface of lid serves as a foot ring when used as an open serving dish. Finial has circular base with butterfly bayonet fastener to underside and cast loop handle of open scrolled bracket form. The number "2" marked incuse on underside of finial, on end of rim of base (topside), on end of rim of lid, and on center of finial juncture of lid.
Label TextWhile English silver and silverplate entrée dishes are common, the form in American silver is rare. This exceptional example marked by Floyd Smith of New York (working ca. 1815-1836) provides an important addition to the collection as a rare form made or retailed in American and as a piece for comparison with English examples in Colonial Williamsburg’s collection.
MarkingsMarked two times on the lid (once on each end) and once on the base in relief: "F•S” in a rectangle (for Floyd Smith); pseudo duty mark of sovereign’s head facing right in clipped cornered rectangle, lion passant facing right in clipped cornered rectangle, "F" in clipped cornered rectangle (pseudo hallmarks for William Forbes).
ProvenanceVendor: Neal Auction Company, Inc.