- Cream Pot (Creamer)
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Although neither of these pieces is marked, their descent from Joseph Loring’s daughter prompts the attribution to his shop (see B.69.256.1, B.69.256.2, B.69.256.3, B.69.256.4, B.69.256.5, and B.69.256.6). Objects such as these offer a rare insight into a craftsman’s personal taste.
Technical notes: The cream pot's foot is seamed, its body raised. The sugar dish lid has cutouts to accommodate the handles. Its vented finial is soldered on.
Related examples: Similar cream pitchers are recorded in Sprague 1987, p. 197, no. 113; Buhler 1979, pp. 60–61, nos. 84, 85, the latter with its accompanying sugar bowl. Interestingly all three vessels cited are marked by the shop of Ebenezer Moulton (1768–1824). Joseph Loring’s stamp has been found on objects marked by Moulton, indicating some form of a business relationship.
Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.
ProvenanceSusan Hall (d. 1841), who m. Joseph Loring, Jr. (1767–1838), the silversmith’s son, probably in 1797; given to their daughter Mary Hall Loring (1802–1883); given to Susie J. Swan; given to James Edward Swan (1839–1917); presumably given to his son James Swan (1870–1944); Mrs. Ernst Auerbach (Louise B. Auerbach); given to MFAH, 1969.
Exhibition History[The Voyage of Life], Houston Public Library, Houston TX, Jesse Jones (Central) Branch, February 1–27, 1994; Tuttle Branch, March 1–27, 1994; Heights Branch, March 29–April 24, 1994; Robinson-Westchase Branch, April 26–May 22, 1994; Smith Branch, May 24–June 19, 1994.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on other side: M. H. L. / to / J. E. S. / 1883 / J. E. S. / to J. S. / 1901
Engraved on underside: S. H
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
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