Tea kettle on stand with case

Date1747-1748

Maker Thomas Whipham

MediumSilver (Sterling) and cane

DimensionsOH(Kettle and stand): 14 3/4"; H(Kettle and stand to finial): 11 1/4"; OH(Kettle): 10 7/8"; H(Kettle to finial): 7 9/16"; Diam(body): 7" Diam(base of kettle): 3 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1962-264,1

DescriptionTea kettle (on stand with lamp in original fitted case). Kettle has arched swing handle with patterned cane winding with side members in the form of ornamented and voluted reversed C-scrolls with pivots fastened with shell attachments to top of body; cone finial surmounting domed lid hinged at side in center-top of inverted pear-shaped body with embossed leaf, flower and shell decoration and a large scroll-framed cartouche on either side bearing armorial engraving, one a coat of arms and the other a crest; curved spout with a fluted and scrolled shell on underside near body and a scroll-tipped leaf above opening. (See separate record for description of stand.)
Label TextThis kettle of representative rococo form and decoration retains its original fitted case, made of deal covered with tooled leather and lined with green baize over marbled paper. Few such cases survive with their original contents. Two similar but empty cases, one for a coffeepot and the other for a bread basket, are also in the Colonial Williamsburg collection (accessions 1970-225 and 1970-226).

The wicker wrapping of the handle appears to be original. In most instances, silversmiths probably had this work done by basket makers. Judith Banister has found in her examinations of the accounts of the Scott family of basketmakers of London that they "wickered" the handles, mainly of kettles and coffeepots, for about a dozen different silversmiths during the eighteenth century. They charged Paul de Lamerie six shillings for "lapping" six silver handles in 1727.

A fully developed rococo kettle on stand of this form but without the elaborate high-chased decoration of this example was exhibited in 1940 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Made by William Grundy of London in 1749/50, it is believed to have been originally owned by Anne Carter, daughter of Charles Carter (1707-1764) of Cleve, King George County, who married Col. Lewis Willis (1734-1813) of Fredericksburg, and to have descended through their son, Byrd Charles Willis (1781-1846) to the present owner.
InscribedEngraved coat of arms on side of body is the matrimonial shield of the arms of Kelly of Kelly, Co. Devon, impaling Drew of South Broom, Co. Wilt, as recorded at the Heralds' Visitations of Devon in 1531 and 1564 and of Wiltshire in 1623. Engraved crest of opposite side of body is the Kelly family crest, as recorded at the Heralds' Visitation of 1564. (Identification made by the Route Dragon, Pursuivant of Arms, College of Arms, London, 1965).
MarkingsMaker's mark "TW" in script letters within a conforming reserve, leopard's head crowned, lion passant, and date letter on underside of body and on underside of lamp.
ProvenanceWindsor White, Duxbury, Massachusetts.

Exhibition(s)