A RARE SILVER CANN | Christie's

A RARE SILVER CANN

Details

A RARE SILVER CANN
MAKER'S MARK OF CHARLES OLIVER BRUFF, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1770

Baluster, on molded spreading circular foot, with foliate scroll handle, the front engraved with a crest, marked COB and Charles O. Bruff--4 3/8in. high
(9 oz.)

Literature

John E. Langdon, "Two More by Bruff," Antiques, October 1968, p. 595.

Exhibited

Colby College, Waterville, Maine, American Arts of the 18th Century, 1967.

Lot Essay

The crest is that of Ludlow, as borne by the family of Hon. Robert H. Ludlow of Black Rock, New York.

Silver by Bruff is extremely rare; only nine pieces have been identified, including the present example. For biographical information on this maker, see John E. Langdon, "New Light on Charles Oliver Bruff, Tory Silversmith," Antiques, June 1968, pp. 768-769, and October 1968, p. 595, and J. Hall Pleasants and Howard Sill, "Charles Oliver Bruff, Silversmith," Antiques, June 1941, pp. 309-311.