Coffeepot

Date1823-1829

Artist/Maker James Dixon & Son

MediumPewter

DimensionsOH: 11 5/16"; Diam (base): 5"

Credit LineGift of the John D. Rockefeller III Fund, Inc., through the generosity and interest of Mr. John D. Rockefeller III and other members of the family

Object number1979-151

DescriptionCoffeepot: Circular ebonized wooden finial of flange and pedestal form with pewter ball cresting on top of domed and stepped circular cover with broad hinge towards handle; broad projecting flange below cover with twelve scallops and molded edge; tall inward curved neck with bold series of molding at contra flexure with body; compressed spherical body with twelve large continuous lobes with conforming moldings; large s-shaped fluted spout; large ebonized wooden loop-shaped handle with tall scrolled finer grip and ribbed face, fitted to scrolled socket attached to lower section of body; body supported on tall pedestal foot with inward curved neck and stepped and splayed circular base.
Label TextUnless viewed as part of a service, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between pewter tea and coffeepots from the first half of the nineteenth century. The James Dixon firm of Sheffield, England's largest producer of Britannia metal in the nineteenth century, made this attractive example. Like many other hollowware forms of this date, it consists of a vertical stack of broad horizontal layers with a bold sequence of moldings or a flanged projection separating them. There is considerable curvilinear sweep to its outline. This pot is part of the furnishings acquired by Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., for Bassett Hall, their home in Williamsburg, Virginia, from 1936 to 1960.
InscribedEngraved on scalloped flange of neck in sprigged script "DAG".
MarkingsTouch mark "Dixon & Son" with probable pattern numbers "8" above and "35" below on underside of base (Scott 147).
ProvenanceGift of John D. Rockefeller III Fund, Inc. through the generosity and interest of Mr. John D. Rockefeller III and other members of the family.