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Lot Essay
The engraved inscription reads: BY CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA/TO THEIR TOWNSMAN/COMMODORE DECATUR/ESTEEMED FOR HIS VIRTUE/HONORED FOR HIS VALOUR
This wine cooler, together with its pair in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, formed part of a service presented by the City of Philadelphia to Commodore Stephen Decatur on February 11, 1818. The original gift consisted of the pair of wine coolers, two large salvers, and a set of twelve goblets, all by Whartenby & Bumm. The matching wine cooler is illustrated in Berry B. Tracy, Classical America 1815-1845, Newark Museum, 1963, no. 95.
Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) won fame as a naval hero for his victories in the Barbary Wars, first against Tripoli from 1801-1805, and again against Algiers in 1815. However, it was his capture of the British frigate Macedonian during the War of 1812 that brought him a Congressional gold medal and national acclaim. His native city, Philadelphia, gave him the present drinks service, while Baltimore, his wife's native city, gave him a silver dinner service in 1817. The City of New York presented him with a French gold snuff box "in testimony of the high sense they entertain of his valor & skill in the capture of the British Frigate Macedonian by the U.S. Frigate United States Oct 25 1812."
This wine cooler, together with its pair in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, formed part of a service presented by the City of Philadelphia to Commodore Stephen Decatur on February 11, 1818. The original gift consisted of the pair of wine coolers, two large salvers, and a set of twelve goblets, all by Whartenby & Bumm. The matching wine cooler is illustrated in Berry B. Tracy, Classical America 1815-1845, Newark Museum, 1963, no. 95.
Stephen Decatur (1779-1820) won fame as a naval hero for his victories in the Barbary Wars, first against Tripoli from 1801-1805, and again against Algiers in 1815. However, it was his capture of the British frigate Macedonian during the War of 1812 that brought him a Congressional gold medal and national acclaim. His native city, Philadelphia, gave him the present drinks service, while Baltimore, his wife's native city, gave him a silver dinner service in 1817. The City of New York presented him with a French gold snuff box "in testimony of the high sense they entertain of his valor & skill in the capture of the British Frigate Macedonian by the U.S. Frigate United States Oct 25 1812."