Joseph Richardson, Sr.
Porringer

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Porringer
Datec. 1732–1750
Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions1 3/4 × 5 5/16 × 7 13/16 in. (4.4 × 13.5 × 19.8 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.58.155
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Newport Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

Francis Richardson (1681–1729) was among the first Philadelphia silversmiths to produce keyhole-handle porringers. At the time of his death the vessel's popularity was on the rise in the American colonies and, conversely, on the wane in England. This may explain why the form never appears among his son Joseph's extensive orders to London suppliers; however, the younger Richardson's shop accounts record the production of no fewer than 129 porringers between 1733 and 1748. These revealing documents specify that his journeyman, John S. Hutton (1684/85–1792), and apprentice, David Harper (d. 1761), fashioned many of the porringers, which, once completed, were stamped with Richardson’s mark.

Technical notes: See B.69.101.

Related examples: Buhler and Hood 1970, vol. 2, pp. 186–87, no. 836; Buhler 1972, vol. 2, p. 604, no. 516; Fales 1974b, pp. 119–22; Quimby 1995, p. 426, no. 441.

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.


ProvenanceH. C. McGavack, November 28, 1953; purchased by [Ginsburg & Levy, New York, November 28, 1953–October 28, 1958]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1958; given to MFAH.
Exhibition History

Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on base: 8–8 [the scratch weight]; 25
Engraved on side: EWBA from MWAM [probably added later]
Initials may have been engraved on the keyhole handle, but if so, they have been removed
Twice on back of handle: mark of Joseph Richardson [Buhler and Hood 1970, vol. 2, nos. 843–847]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Teapot
Joseph Richardson, Sr.
c. 1745–1775
Silver
B.60.29
Porringer
William Cowell, Sr.
c. 1704–1736
Silver
B.63.74
Porringer
Richard Lee, Sr.
c. 1788–1820
Pewter
B.2006.18
Porringer
Richard Lee, Sr.
c. 1788–1820
Pewter
B.2006.19
Plate
Joseph Danforth, Sr.
c. 1779
Pewter
B.2006.16
Cann
Joseph Danforth, Sr.
c. 1779–1788
Pewter
B.60.65
Cann
Joseph Danforth, Sr.
c. 1779–1788
Pewter
B.60.66
Spoon
William Richardson
c. 1782–1809
Silver
B.82.19
Cann
William Cowell, Sr.
c. 1704–1736
Silver
B.61.54
Pair of Andirons
Daniel King, Sr.
1760–1800
Brass, iron
B.86.9.1,.2
Flute
Edward Riley, Sr.
c. 1819–1831
Boxwood, silver, ivory, and leather
B.2005.1.A-.D
Mount Vernon in Virginia / The seat of the late Lieutenant General George Washington
Frances Rogers (Mrs. Samuel Green Arnold, Sr.)
c. 1800–1805
Silk, gold and silver metallic threads, with watercolor and spangles
B.2009.18