Images(3)

Pair of Salts (shown without liners) 1981-213,1&2

Salt Cellar

Date1785-1800

Marked by William Richardson (1755 - 1809)

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Richmond

MediumSilver; glass

DimensionsOH: 2 3/8" OL: 3 1/8" OW: 2 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1981-213,1A

DescriptionSalt Cellar: One of a pair of oval salt cellars with straight seamed sides and molded edge; oval ring at the bottom supports original blue glass oval liner; set on four thin, splayed legs.
Label TextCaptain William Richardson (1757-1809), son of John and Abigail Richardson, worked with his brother George, also a silversmith, in the firm William & George Richardson in Richmond from as early as 1784 to around 1794. William worked independently from 1794 until he retired from business in 1807. He was a leading member in Richmond politics; he served as Mayor in 1801 and 1807, and was selected as the first Captain of the Richmond Light Infantry Blues in 1798.
Inscribed"W" engraved in feathered script on the face of the silver body, possibly for Margaret Wood (William Richardson's sister).
MarkingsMarked on opposite sides of the bottom rim, "W•R" in relief within a rectangle, and a spread eagle in relief within a shaped reserve
ProvenanceVendor: Lindsay Grigsby Antiques, Richmond, VA