Kettle on stand

Date1747-1748

Maker Thomas Whipham

MediumSilver (Sterling) and leather

DimensionsOH: 13 3/4"; H(Kettle alone with handle): 11 1/8"; H(kettle alone to finial): 7 5/16"; H(stand): 4 3/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1937-152,A

DescriptionTea kettle with hinged lid, separate stand w/ fixed lamp & lid. Kettle has large cast swing handle with leather-wrapped arched top, reversed C-scroll side members, and pivot attachment to top of body at shoulder; cast finial in the form of an inverted artichoke surmounting broad circular domed cover with bezel on underside fitting within center-top of body; globular body tapering inward towards base; two-part cast S-scroll spout with raised acanthus leaf tip on upper face above opening and raised and voluted shell-derived decoration on lower section towards body; body supported on plain short-sided foot ring fitting within rim of stand.
Label TextThis kettle and stand was produced in the same shop and in the same year as CWF accession 1962-264. Although they share many cast elements, the plain body of this example indicates the options, involving both fashion and expense, that were open to clients.

InscribedThe arms shown on the dexter half of the cartouche in the photograph, namely: 'Vert fretty or' (the latter tincture is not evident in the engraving) would appear to be those of the family of WHITMORE of Apley, co. Salop, as recorded, together with a pedigree of three generations, at the Heralds' Visitation of Shropshire in 1663. At the Heralds' Visitation of Gloucestershire in 1683 a pedigree of four generations of this family, seated at Lower Slaughter in that County, but originally of Apley, was entered with these Arms, and in 1829 was 'On the stock of a tree a falcon close proper belled or'. The Arms in the attached photograph show a cadency mark of a martlet (that of a fourth son). The only fourth son found in the above mentioned pedigree was Charles Whitemore of Southampton, who was Collector of Customs there and whose Will was dated 12 June 1700 and proved 22 May 1770. He married a Mary Kelly of Newcastle, but no Arms are shown for this lady. The Arms in the Impalement which would seem to be 'Azure on a bend or between two lilies slipped an annulet do not appear to be recorded for any family. (Information provided by The Rouge Dragon, Pursuivant of Arms, College of Arms, London, England, 1965.)
MarkingsMaker's mark "TW" in script letters within a conforming reserve, leopard's head crowned, lion passant, and date letter both on underside of base to kettle and on underside of lamp.
ProvenanceVendor: James Robinson, Inc., New York.

Exhibition(s)