Lot Essay
The earliest form of an American pewter creamer, this lot represents the significant relationship between early eighteenth century English silver and early American pewter. The baluster-form with cabriole leg and shell feet are characteristics found in English silver made during Queen Anne's reign (1702-1714). Not only may John Will have been referring back to earlier English sources, but he was almost definiately alluding to his contemporary silversmiths in New York. A related creamer by Samuel Tingley was sold in these Rooms, January 25, 1986, lot 227, and a brazier with similar double shell feet by Myer Myers was sold in these Rooms, October 13, 1986, lot 60.
John Will, born in Germany, emmigrated to America shortly after 1752 and is listed as a freeman of New York in 1759. Although he was primarily a pewterer, John Will was listed in the New York Gazette, September 27, 1756 as merchant selling "distill'd Rum, by the Hogshead, Barrel, or smaller Quantity,...as also a Variety of Glass Ware, manufactured at the Glass House in New Windsor" (Laughlin, vol. II, p. 13). After John Will's his death circa 1774, his son, Henry, continued as a pewterer in both New York City and Albany.
Two related pieces by John Will are owned privately while another attributed to John Will is in the collection of Yale University. The first is illustrated in Pewter Collectors' Club of America, Pewter in America (Providence, 1984), p. 61. The second is illustrated in Ledlie Laughlin, Pewter in America: Its Makers and their Marks (Cambridge, 1940) vol. I, Plate XXX, fig. 201. The third is illustrated in Laughlin, (Massachusetts, 1971) vol.III, Plate XCV, fig. 776.
John Will, born in Germany, emmigrated to America shortly after 1752 and is listed as a freeman of New York in 1759. Although he was primarily a pewterer, John Will was listed in the New York Gazette, September 27, 1756 as merchant selling "distill'd Rum, by the Hogshead, Barrel, or smaller Quantity,...as also a Variety of Glass Ware, manufactured at the Glass House in New Windsor" (Laughlin, vol. II, p. 13). After John Will's his death circa 1774, his son, Henry, continued as a pewterer in both New York City and Albany.
Two related pieces by John Will are owned privately while another attributed to John Will is in the collection of Yale University. The first is illustrated in Pewter Collectors' Club of America, Pewter in America (Providence, 1984), p. 61. The second is illustrated in Ledlie Laughlin, Pewter in America: Its Makers and their Marks (Cambridge, 1940) vol. I, Plate XXX, fig. 201. The third is illustrated in Laughlin, (Massachusetts, 1971) vol.III, Plate XCV, fig. 776.