Images(2)

Creampot

Paul Revere, Sr. (American (born in France, baptized Apollos Rivoire), 1702–1754)

about 1727

Object PlaceBoston, Massachusetts

Medium/TechniqueSilver

Dimensions11 x 9.4 x 6.7 cm (4 5/16 x 3 11/16 x 2 5/8 in.)

Credit LineGift of Frances Lowell Hunsaker, Beatrice Hardcastle Magruder, and Christina Lowell Brazelton in memory of their father Alfred Putnam Lowell

Accession number1991.1022

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsSilver hollowware

Collections

Americas

Description

The “P [pellet] REVERE” mark in roman letters was used by Paul Revere I near the end of his life and during the early career of Paul Revere II. Stylistically, few differences can be discerned between the work of father and son during this period. This creamer illustrates the point, for both men produced forms with similar profiles, trifid feet, and double-scroll strap handles. The younger Revere undoubtedly used casts from his father’s workshop, hence the similar results, especially in the early years of his career.

The likely owner of the creamer was Elizabeth Cutt (1709 – 1805), who married first in 1727 and again in 1758. In view of a Paul Revere I teapot (cat. no. 108) that Cutt probably acquired during her first marriage, it is probable that Revere senior made this creamer as well.

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.

InscriptionsLarge, shaded roman capital letters "M. S. L." are engraved underneath creampot in a later hand; scratch weight of "4 oz12" is found above mark.ProvenanceWorking backward in time from the initials “M. S. L.,” said to be for Mary Traill Spence Lowell (1810 – 1898), it is likely that the first owner was Elizabeth Cutt (or Cutts) (1709 – 1805), probably after her first marriage in 1727 to the Rev. Joseph Whipple (1701 – 1757). Her second marriage of 1758 was to the Rev. John Lowell (1704 – 1767). Descended to Judge John Lowell (1743 – 1802), Reverend Lowell’s son by his first wife, Sarah Champney (1704 – 1756). Judge Lowell m. his third wife, Rebecca (Russell) Tyng (1746 – 1816), in 1778, and the bowl descended to their son the Rev. Charles Lowell (1782 – 1861), pastor of West Congregational Church in Boston, m. Harriett Brackett Spence (1783 – 1850) in 1806.3 By descent to their daughter Mary Traill Spence Lowell (1810 – 1898) and Samuel Raymond Putnam (1797 – 1861), m. 1832.4 The vessel probably descended to their daughter Georgina Lowell Putnam (b. 1835), d. unm., and thence to her cousin Charles Lowell (1855 – 1905), who in 1885 m. Beatrice Kate Hardcastle (about 1852 – 1932).5 By descent to their daughter Mary Beatrice Lowell (b. 1888) and Frederick Southgate Bigelow (1871 – 1954), m. 1915,6 and thence to her brother Alfred Putman Lowell (1890 – 1954) and Catherine Hay Bowles (1890 – 1969), m. 1915,7 by descent to the donor.