This goblet is possibly part of a set that included a water pitcher and another goblet. Born in Troy, New York, William Adams served his apprenticeship under Pierre Chicotree, a Frenchman. About 1830, he was living in New York where he formed a small silver-making firm. Adams is best known for his presentation silverware, including the 1841 mace of the United States House of Representatives; an urn awarded to American statesman Henry Clay recognizing him for helping to pass the amendment for the Tariff of 1842, which increased taxes on imported silver objects and jewelry; and the fireman’s trumpet (B.2001.26) presented to John Van Boskerck, the former chief engineer of the Hoboken, New Jersey, fire department in 1857. He won awards at the annual fairs of the American Institute of the City of New York in 1842 and 1845. 

The Industrial Revolution in the United States saw a gradual change from an agrarian, handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacture, which naturally affected the making of silver. William Adams relied on machines for many objects, such as this goblet. For special one-offs, he borrowed craftsmanship from the previous generation of silversmithing to create fine repoussé work, as found on the fireman’s trumpet. His workshop operated steam powered machines and employed five men and three boys. This goblet includes spun components decorated with die-rolled borders. Spinning produced hollowware by pressing a flat sheet of silver over a mold as it revolved on a lathe at a high speed. Additionally, silversmiths quickly created die-rolled borders. This device simulated hand repoussé work, where a strip of silver passed through small patterned steel rollers, one with the design in relief and the other with the corresponding design recessed. Together, the fireman’s trumpet along with the goblet, show that William Adams catered to a diverse clientele and could produce beautiful, expensive wares together with others that were more affordable.