Covered Sugar Urn

Dateca. 1795

Marked by John McMullin (1765 - 1843)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver alloy

DimensionsHeight: 10 3/8"; Maximum diameter: 4 7/16"; Diameter of foot: 3 9/16"

Credit LineBequest of Joseph H. and June S. Hennage

Object number2020-262,4a&b

DescriptionSilver covered sugar urn from a five-piece tea and coffee service also including a teapot, coffeepot, cream pot, and waste bowl. The body is urn shaped with four curved panels separated by four pairs of broad flutes, set above a foot of the same shape. Squared shoulders lead to a stepped, incurving neck which supports a reeded rim. Its separate, incurving lid is capped by a tall, broadening dome and an urn-shaped finial. Its body is engraved with band of roulette and bright-cut flowers and foliage below the shoulders, with a foliate oval cartouche on the front side. Both the foot and lid are embellished with narrow borders of roulette and bright-cut engraving.
Label TextThe urn-shaped finials, bright-cut engraved borders, and fluted panels of this tea and coffee service exemplify the best of Philadelphia neoclassical silver.
InscribedEngraved "SSI" in sprigged script on the front of body within an oval cartouche. A "B" is scratched into the underside of the foot.
MarkingsStruck with "I•M.cMullin" in italicized relief within a rectangle on the right, outside of the foot.
ProvenanceLent by George S. Palmer to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition held in conjunction with the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, 1909. Described on p.115 of Vol. II of the accompanying catalogue and plated opposite p.120.

Possibly sold to Israel Sack during the spring of 1927 or 1928 as part of Palmer's entire collection.

Purchased from Israel Sack on March 4, 1986.