Images(3)

Baptismal Bowl

Dateca.1795-1816

Maker Samuel Danforth

OriginAmerica, Connecticut, Hartford

MediumPewter

DimensionsHeight: 2 1/4”; Diameter of rim: 7 5/8”; Diameter of foot: 5 3/4”

Credit LineGift of Scott and Debra Duncan

Object number2022-204

DescriptionRound pewter bowl with a sharp lip, curving sides, and a concave foot ring. A turned moulding encircles the piece a little below the lip.
Label TextThe lower of the two versions of baptismal bowls offered by Samuel Danforth, these well-turned examples are considered to be less common. The pitting on the inside of this bowl suggests it was used for other, non-ecclesiastic purposes, where it held corrosive materials or liquids.
Inscribed"C W T" is scratched into the bottom of the bowl.
MarkingsInside of bowl struck twice with Danforth's mark of a spread American eagle flanked by "S D" in relief within an oval (Jacobs-107) above a large "X." Below are his four "hallmarks," including "S•D" in relief within an oval, a spread eagle in relief within an oval, an eight-pointed star in relief within an oval, and a dagger pointing right in relief within an oval.