Gregg & Hayden
Presentation Pitcher

Public Domain

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Images(3)

Maker Gregg & Hayden (American, 1843–1846)American, 1846–1852

EngraverProbably John Francis Parisot (American, c. 1806–1846)American, c. 1806–1846

CultureAmerican

Titles

Presentation Pitcher

Datec. 1844

Made inCharleston, South Carolina, United States

MediumSilver

Dimensions8 1/4 × 9 3/8 × 6 in. (21 × 23.8 × 15.2 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by The Brown Foundation, Inc. on behalf of Nancy O'Connor Abendshein; Exxon Mobil Foundation Matching Program on behalf of Ann M. Kelly; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Fossler in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Huebsch; and Exxon Mobil Foundation Matching Program on behalf of Herbert Mills

Object numberB.2018.5

Current Location

The Audrey Jones Beck Building

107 Kilroy Gallery

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionIn 19th-century America, militia service was compulsory for “each and every free able-bodied white male citizen” (Second Militia Act of 1792). The Northern Volunteers began as a company of militia comprising men born in northern states who established (or “volunteered” for) their own unit. Such “volunteer” units were typically made up of wealthier individuals who could afford to buy handsome uniforms, horses, and weapons as needed. Nathaniel Hayden, a former commanding officer to whom the pitcher was presented, was himself a silversmith who left South Carolina to pursue his business in New York.
Provenance[Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Towson, Maryland, Octover 7, 2017, lot 493]; purchased by [an anonymous antiques dealer]; purchased by [S. J. Shrubsole, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2018.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Engraved on one side with an emblem centering a palm tree flanked by a flag and an oval on each side, the left oval beneath an American flag inscribed: LEXINGTON / 19 / APRIL / 1775
The right oval beneath a company banner: N.V. / AUGUST / 1817
Beneath the emblem a banner: ANIMUS OPIBUSQUE PARATI
Beneath the banner: NORTHERN VOLUNTEERS / CHARLESTON, S. C. / Presented to / Nathaniel Hayden / their late Commander / in testimony of their esteem / 1844.

Marked on underside within a serrated rectangle: HAYDEN & GREGG

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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