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Entree dish

(American, 1792–1834)
about 1820–30
Object PlacePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Medium/TechniqueSilver
DimensionsOverall: 19.1 x 36 x 26 cm (7 1/2 x 14 3/16 x 10 1/4 in.)
Credit LineAnonymous gift
Accession number1994.33a-c
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
Collections
Description

Although not uncommon in English silver and fused plate, large serving dishes such as this by Edward Lownes of Philadelphia are rare in American silver. It is an excellent example of the form, massive and weighty, with milled gadrooned borders and rocaille ornament at the corners. As is customary, the loop handle is removable, and the cover can be inverted to form a matching, smaller dish.

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.

Inscriptions"A / TESTIMONY of AFFECTION / from / Charles Francis / to his Sister / Sophia Harrison" within a wreath engraved on side. "GSH" engraved on side of lid.
ProvenanceGiven by Charles Francis to his sister Sophia Francis Harrison, probably on the occasion of her marriage to George Harrison. It descended to Sophia’s sister Mary Francis Fisher and her husband, Joshua Fisher; to their son Joshua Francis Fisher and his wife, Eliza Middleton Fisher; then through the family to the parents of the donor and to the anonymous donor in 1963.
Ladle
Joseph Lownes
about 1790
Wine cup
Samuel Edwards
about 1740
Beaker
Joseph Edwards, Jr.
about 1768
Beaker
John Edwards
1744
Beaker
John Edwards
1720
Communion cup
John Edwards
1732
Flagon
John Edwards
1712
Flagon
Edward Winslow
1713
Restricted: For reference only
Thomas Edwards
about 1723
Porringer
Samuel Edwards
about 1762
Cup
Thomas Edwards
about 1723
Cann
Joseph Edwards, Jr.
about 1765