Museum Collections
Luce Center
Cann
Object name
Cann
Date
1784
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 6 1/4 in. ( 14.6 x 9.5 x 15.9 cm )
Silver Weight: 14 oz (troy) 6 dwt (444 g)
Description
Wrought silver cann; baluster-shaped body on a circular molded foot; plain band applied around the rim; cast, double-scroll handle with an acanthus thumbpiece, rat-tail lower terminus; engraved on the front center with the initials, "M F" in foliate script; maker's mark stamped on the base.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Waldron Phoenix Belknap, Sr.; The Waldron Phoenix Belknap, Jr. Collection
Object Number
1950.341
Marks
Inscription: engraved at front center: "M F" in foliate script
Maker's mark: stamped on base: "EP" in a rectangle
Gallery Label
This cann is one of a pair made for Mary Floyd (1763-1805) of Mastic, Long Island in 1784, when she married Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835). The purchase of the canns by Mary's father, William Floyd, is recorded in Elias Pelletreau's account book in 1784. Mary Floyd and Benjamin Tallmadge settled in Litchfield, Connecticut, where he became a successful merchant and served as a representative from Connecticut in the United States Congress. The mate to this cann is illustrated in "American Silver Collected by Philip H. Hammerslough," vol. I, p. 7.
Provenance
Mary Floyd (1763-1805), who married Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835) in 1784; probably to their son Frederick A. Tallmadge (1794-1869); probably to one of his daughters, either Julia F. Tallmadge Noyes (1818-1899) or Mary Floyd Tallmadge Seymour. Purchased by Waldron P. Belknap, Jr., 1940s.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.





