William Forbes
Punch Ladle

MakerAmerican, baptized 1799, active New York 1826–1863
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Punch Ladle
Datec. 1856–1864
Made inNew York , New York, United States
MediumSilver and silver gilding
Dimensions2 5/8 × 14 1/8 × 3 3/4 in. (6.7 × 35.9 × 9.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Dr. Charles Spencer Curb in memory of his wife, Janet M. Bettin Curb
Object numberB.2011.19
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Metals Study Room
On view

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

William Forbes (1799–c. 1882) was the son of Colin Van Gelder Forbes and a grandson of William Garret Forbes, both of whom were established silversmiths in New York City. Presumably, young William was trained by his father and in 1826, a few years after completing his apprenticeship, formed a partnership with him. Years later, when the younger Forbes was working on his own, he became a principal supplier to a number of established New York City firms—notably Marquand & Co.; Ball, Tompkins & Black; and their successor, Ball, Black & Company.

 This punch ladle, distinguished by its unusual figural handle, was undoubtedly inspired by, if not pirated from, an English model. In the mid-19th century figural flatware was extremely rare. William Bogert, a contemporary of Forbes, is responsible for two known sets, one of which is in the Bayou Bend Collection (B.2003.14.1–.3). They are taken directly from a London design of 1862–63. More closely related to this unmarked punch ladle are a serving spoon and fish set (private collections), the latter bearing Forbes’ mark and hence the basis for this attribution. The handle, with its voluptuous figure and meandering grapevine, terminates in a gilded bowl formed in a distinctive honeycomb pattern. The latter is inspired by a design associated with Tiffany & Co. and suggests a collaboration between Forbes and Edward Moore, sometime prior to his being engaged by Tiffany’s as its general manager and designer.


ProvenanceDr. Charles Spencer Curb, Clarksville, Arkansas; given to MFAH, 2011.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
[no marks]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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