Joseph Loring
Sugar Bowl

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Sugar Bowl
Datec. 1797
Made inBoston, Massachusetts, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions5 3/8 × 6 7/8 × 4 1/8 in. (13.7 × 17.5 × 10.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Mrs. Ernst Auerbach in memory of Ernst Auerbach
Object numberB.69.256.3.A,.B
Not on view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

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.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on side: ML / 1797 [Mary Loring] and M.H.L. to J.E.S [Mary Hall Loring to James Edward Swan]
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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

detail
Joseph Loring
c. 1797
Silver
B.69.256.6
Cream Pot (Creamer)
Joseph Loring
c. 1797
Silver
B.69.256.4
Tablespoon
Joseph Loring
c. 1797
Silver
B.69.256.5
Cream Pot (Creamer)
Joseph Loring
c. 1797
Silver
B.69.256.2
Teapot
Joseph Loring
c. 1797
Silver
B.69.256.1
Sugar Bowl
Joseph Lownes
c. 1790–1800
Silver
B.61.11.2.A,.B
Sugar Tongs
Joseph F. Reeves
c. 1831–1851
Silver
B.97.42
Sugar Bowl
c. 1830–1850
Silver
B.93.12.A,.B
scan from file photograph
Johnson & Reat
c. 1810
Silver
B.97.69.A,.B
Sugar Bowl
Terfloth & Küchler
c. 1858–1861
Silver
B.97.50
Sugar Bowl
Hyde & Goodrich
c. 1857–1860
Silver
B.89.9.1.A,.B