Images(2)

Epergne

Date1763-1764

Artist/Maker Thomas Pitts I (active ca. 1744-1793)

MediumSilver (Sterling)

DimensionsOH: 12 3/4"; OL 19 3/8"; OW 18 1/8". Base: OH 8 5/8"; OL 11 1/2"; OW (at feet) 9 3/4". Central basket: OH 4 5/16"; OL 14 1/4"; OW 9 3/8". Arms: OL 6". Saucers: H (rim) 1 3/32"; Diam. 5 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Mr. Webb Vanderbilt

Object number1938-191,1-10

DescriptionEpergne in 10 parts: central basket, base, 4 arms, and 4 saucers. Boat-shaped basket at top in center of oval plan with flared rim and curved sides; body raised and pierced in alternate panels of interlacing ovals and alternating quatrefoils and stars; panels separated by chased rib; cast and applied scroll and floral border at rim; plain vertical foot fitting within rim of base; vertical rim to base with cast and applied band of alternating positive and negative gadroons; inclined center section to base flaring at bottom divided by high-chased scrolls into lozenge-shaped sections with high-chased rosette at intersections pierced areas of rosettes and quatrefoils and stars; scroll and shell motifs in high chasing below these pierced areas; center section of base supported on four cast reversed C-scroll legs with cast and applied leaf embellishments ending in shell-derived open feet; cast and applied floral garlands attached at knees forming apron for center section; square hole in fittings attached to knees accommodating shanks of arms; four cast reversed C-scroll arms with ends support tripod supports com- posed of reversed C-scrolls for rings with applied beaded borders; rings accommodate feet of saucers; four shallow circular saucers with flared rims and convex sides; saucers raised with cast and applied shell, scroll, and floral borders on rims and high chased swirls of alternate lines and dots in center.
MarkingsMaker's mark "T.P" in block letters within a rectangle, leopard's head crowned, lion passant, and date letter both on face of foot of central basket and on face of rim re- ceiving foot. Maker's mark and lion passant on shank of three of the four arms; other unmarked. Maker's mark and lion passant on face of foot of each saucer (maker's mark twice on one).
ProvenanceEx Coll: Mr. Vanderbilt Webb, New York

Exhibition(s)