Skimmer (from the "Constitution")
about 1800–20
Object Placeprobably New England, United States
Medium/TechniqueBrass, wrought iron, copper; with later silk rep ribbon in red, white, and blue, and paper tag
DimensionsOther (Overall): 60.3 x 18.4 cm (23 3/4 x 7 1/4 in.)
Credit LineBequest of Charles Hitchcock Tyler
Accession number33.7
On View
On viewClassificationsModels
Collections
It is believed that this skimmer was used on "Constitution." A seventeenth-century source noted that "cooks [use the skimmer to] take away all the filth and scume from off a Boiling pott the liquor running throw the holes, and the dregs remaineing on the scummer."
InscriptionsIn ink in script on paper tag tied to handle: "This Skillet from the Good Old / Ship (Constitution) Given to / my mother by Capt. Maynard / and she gave same to me / Frederic Russell [illegible] very old." On reverse: "From Capt. Maynard / to my mother and is / older than myself. My / G.G. Grandfather was also an / officer on board. Fuller C.S.C."ProvenanceBy tradition, used on the U.S.S. Constitution; from Capt. Maynard to the mother of Francis Russell (see inscription on paper tag); acquired before 1932 by the noted Boston collector Charles Hitchcock Tyler (1863–1931) , who bequeathed it to the Museum.
early 20th century