Thomas You
Pap Boat

Public Domain

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Maker Thomas You American, c. 1731–1786, active Charleston, South Carolina, c. 1749–1786

CultureAmerican

Titles

Pap Boat

Datec. 1756–1785

Made inCharleston, South Carolina, United States

MediumSilver

Dimensions1 × 4 3/8 × 2 11/16 in. (2.5 × 11.1 × 6.8 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of William J. Hill in memory of Dominique de Menil

Object numberB.97.57

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Metals Study Room

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionThomas You was born in South Carolina of Huguenot descent. He apprenticed with the Charleston jeweler and silversmith John Paul Grimke and first advertised his own Charleston silversmith shop in 1756. Advertisements for his shop appeared frequently afterward, alerting customers to his own work and products “just imported from London.” Marked by You, this pap boat resembles a small sauceboat, but was used to administer semi-liquid foods to small children or invalids.
ProvenanceWilliam J. Hill (1934–2018), Houston; given to MFAH, 1997.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Engraved on underside: IL.[L superscript over period[.]S

Stamped on interior bottom: TY [worn]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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