Pitcher
Gen. Francisco de Paula Santander of Colombia offered this classically proportioned pitcher to Capt. Henry Beekman of the American packet brig Montilla in thanks for a safe voyage from New York to Colombia. General Santander had been living in exile in New York from 1828 to 1832, when he was recalled to Colombia to become president after Simon Bolivar’s death. Santander was a law student in his native land when he joined Bolivar’s 1813 campaign to liberate New Granada (modern-day Colombia), Venezuela, and Ecuador. His success in preparing an advance base for Bolivar in New Granada earned him a place as vice president in Bolivar’s new regime, with the understanding that he would rule the newly formed Gran Granada while Bolivar fought to hold together the union. However, differing political ideologies divided the two leaders, and Santander subsequently led the people’s opposition to Bolivar’s continuing foreign campaigns to enlarge his domain. In 1828 Bolivar declared himself dictator of New Granada; following an assassination attempt, he jailed Santander for complicity but later allowed him to go into exile.
Presumably made about the time of Santander’s departure from New York, this pitcher was intended for domestic use. Its inscription is discreetly placed within a broad wreath of leaves and fruit, below the spout. The vessel’s surface is a study in light and dark. The dense floral pattern of the decorative bands and textured handle create a dramatic contrast to the pitcher’s polished, curvilinear form.
Gerardus Boyce worked from about 1820 to 1857 at 101 Spring Street in New York City. Elisha Jones joined Boyce from 1825 to 1830, and the firm was then known as Boyce & Jones. In 1835 Boyce moved to 110 Greene Street, where he remained for more than twenty years as the head of a small shop of five employees in 1850.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
