A RARE AND LARGE TWO-HANDLED SILVER TEA TRAY

Details

A RARE AND LARGE TWO-HANDLED SILVER TEA TRAY
MAKER'S MARK OF GARRETT EOFF, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1815

Of rounded rectangular form, with molded gadrooned borders and raised gadrooned scroll-clad handles, the center field engraved with a crest and monogram DPG, stamped twice on reverse--length over handles 30½in.
(193oz.)

Provenance

David Gelston (1733-1828), thence by descent
A descendant of the above, sold in these Rooms, January 24, 1987, lot 60

Lot Essay

David Gelston, of Suffolk County, Long Island, was a revolutionary patriot and delegate to the Provincial Congress of New York in 1775. Driven from his home by the British occupation of Long Island, he represented Suffolk County at the New York Constitutional Convention. In 1786, Gelston moved into a New York City to pursue commercial ventures and also held a variety of public offices, including serving periodically as a State Legislator. In July 1801, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him Collector of the Port of New York, an office he held until 1820. A group of Gelston's papers, which include letters from three Presidents, were offered by Christie's, December 19, 1986, lots 24-34.