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Coffeepot

(American, 1730–1775)
about 1760–75
Object PlaceBoston, Massachusetts
Medium/TechniqueSilver
Dimensions29.2 x 23.3 x 12.5 cm (11 1/2 x 9 3/16 x 4 15/16 in.)
Credit LineMarion E. Davis Fund and gift in memory of Emma Jane Henchman Kimball and Harriet Kimball Williams by Phebe W. Summers
Accession number1981.171
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
Collections
Description

The tapering, cylindrical forms that characterized mid-eighteenth-century coffeepots can be seen in an example made by Daniel Henchman between 1755 and 1765 for a member of the Winthrop family. Shortly after, however, a newer rococo form came into vogue in Boston; it featured a swelled body and tall stepped foot. Henchman’s version of this coffeepot bears lively cast decoration on the spout and finely delineated details on the handle sockets, with matched stepped conical forms on the lid and foot. Henchman produced a slightly smaller example, with similar cast elements and a lower foot ring, for the Codman family. The initials on the body of the coffeepot have not been identified.

'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.

InscriptionsProbably later engraving of "CCW" in entwined sprigged script on body to left of handle; to right of handle in same script appears "CCW / to JWP."
ProvenancePurchased at a Sotheby Parke-Bernet sale in 1978 by S. J. Shrubsole Corporation of New York. Subsequently purchased in 1979 by Mrs. Richard E. Summers (Phebe Gould Williams) of Frederick, Maryland, and made a partial sale/partial gift to the Museum in 1981.
Caster
Daniel Henchman
about 1755
Group shot:  1979.408-9
Daniel Henchman
1760–75
Group shot:  1979.408-9
Daniel Henchman
about 1755–75
Cann
Daniel Henchman
about 1755–69
Daniel Henchman
about 1755–75
Table spoon
Daniel Henchman
ca. 1755-1775
Mourning ring
Daniel Henchman
about 1767
Restricted
Daniel Rogers
about 1775–1800
Group shot: 42.240-1
Daniel Parker
About 1760–70
Daniel Parker
About 1760–70
Cann
Daniel Parker
about 1760
Creampot
Daniel Parker
about 1750