Collection Highlights
Aaron Burr (1756-1836)
1836
1927.59
Plaster with wash
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Museum Collections
Decorative Arts
Pitcher
Object name
Pitcher
Date
1848
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 11 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 9 1/4 in. ( 29.8 x 19 x 23.5 cm )
Description
Wrought silver presentation pitcher; octagonal, pear-shaped body on a splayed, octagonal pedestal; pedestal decorated with alternating chased shell and foliate designs along the edge and wavy lines above; eight pentagons around the lower body chases with a foliate design; eight panels around the center of the body alternate with japanesque landscapes and inscriptions; engraved, "A Tribute of/ affection & Respect/ to/ Friendship Integrity &/ worth/ Presented by/ Henry Baldwin/ to his Friend/ Moses D. Burnet/ Nov. 10, 1848./ "My Friend & Pitcher"" in script; convex band around the neck with chased foliate decoration above and below; neck flares to a scalloped rim and broad, shallow pouring lip; plain band applied around the rim; scroll handle with foliate engraving applied to the body; makers' marks stamped on the base.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. John Burnet Nash
Object Number
1951.16
Marks
Inscription: engraved around the center of the body: "A Tribute of/ affection & Respect/ to/ Friendship Integrity &/ worth/ Presented by/ Henry Baldwin/ to his Friend/ Moses D. Burnet/ Nov. 10, 1848./ "My Friend & Pitcher"" in script
Mark: stamped on the base: "GALE & HAYDEN CO" in roman letters in a rectangle above, "G/&/ H" in a diamond above "1/48/8" in a diamond
Engraving: Pitcher has accumulation of chased and engraved ornament as follows:
Lower body has wide paneled arcaded area embellished with engraved and chased ogival arches surrounded by foliate frames; mid body of vessel molded into octagonal panels that terminate at cushion molded collar, and are embellished at panel top with engraved and chased waterleaves on background of scales surmounting arcade of engraved ogee arches with foliate pendants. Beginning at cushion molding, neck decorated with wide border of upward-shooting acanthus (or waterleaf?) flames.
Lower half of foot is also embellished with chased and engraved shells, waterleaves, and wiggle-work vermicule pattern. Handle grip is also embellished with single foliate leaf similar to those at pitcher neck.
Gallery Label
This pitcher was presented by Henry Baldwin to his friend Moses D. Burnet (1792-1876) of Syracuse, NY. Burnet was the great-grandfather of the donor's husband.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
