Images(6)

Coffeepot

Dateca. 1795

Marked by John McMullin (1765 - 1843)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver alloy, wood

DimensionsHeight: 14 3/4"; Width from handle to spout: 10 7/8"; Maximum diameter: 5 1/2"

Credit LineBequest of Joseph H. and June S. Hennage

Object number2020-262,2

DescriptionSilver coffeepot from a five-piece tea and coffee service also including a teapot, cream pot, covered sugar urn, and waste bowl. Shaped circular foot tapers to juncture with tall, urn-shaped body with four broad and eight narrow flutes, plain incurving neck and tall, incurving hinged lid surmounted by dome with urn-shaped finial; S-scrolled fluted spout capped by a small leaf; double scrolled wooden handle capped by an acanthus furl. Body engraved with band of roulette and bright-cut flowers and foliage below neck; foliate oval cartouche on one side. Foot and lid embellished with narrow borders of roulette and bright-cut engraving.
Label TextThe urn-shaped finials, bright-cut engraved borders, and fluted panels of this tea and coffee service exemplify the best of Philadelphia neoclassical silver.
InscribedEngraved "SSI" in sprigged script on the right side of body within an oval cartouche.
MarkingsMarked on side of foot "I•M" incuse, struck once on either side of "I•M.cMullin" semi-script in relief in a rectangle [note that the lower case "c" is superscript over the period]

ProvenanceLent by George S. Palmer to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition held in conjunction with the Hudson-Fulton Celebration, 1909. Described on p.115 of Vol. II of the accompanying catalogue and plated opposite p.120.

Possibly sold to Israel Sack during the spring of 1927 or 1928 as part of Palmer's entire collection.

Purchased from Israel Sack on March 4, 1986.