MARK OF JACOB HURD, BOSTON, CIRCA 1737

Details

A SILVER TANKARD
MARK OF JACOB HURD, BOSTON, CIRCA 1737
Tapering cylindrical on a molded circular foot, the domed cover with a baluster finial and scroll thumbpiece, the scroll handle with applied drop and oval terminal, the body with applied mid-band, the body engraved with a coat-of-arms in a cartouche and a contemporary presentation inscription, marked near rim left of handle join and on cover
7½ in. (19 cm.) high; 25 oz. (788 gr.)

Provenance

The First Church of Christ in Lynn, Massachusetts, commissioned from a bequest by Col. Theophilus Burrill (1669-1737). Sold Sotheby's, New York, 19 June 1992, lot 89

Literature

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, American Church Silver of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, 1911, no. 638, p. 75, illus. pl. 20, 35
E. Alfred Jones, Old Silver of American Churches, 1913, pl. 84, pp. 254-255
Hollis French, Jacob Hurd and His Sons, Nathaniel and Benjamin: Silversmiths 1702-1781, 1939, p. 46
Patricia Kane, Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers, 1998, no. 249, p. 608

Exhibited

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1909-1929
Lynn Historical Society, circa 1955-1967

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The arms are those of Burrill for Col. Theophilus Burrill (1669-1737).

The inscription reads:
The Gift of Theo. Burrill Esqr.
to the first Church of Christ in
Lynn

Theophilus Burrill (1669-1737) served in numerous offices in Lynn over a thirty-year period, including selectman and treasurer. Upon his death, Col. Burrill left bequests to the First, Second and Third Churches of Lynn, including "One Hundred Pounds in passable Bills of Credit to purchase such Plate for ye use of ye Communion Table" for the First Church. These funds were used to purchase two beakers and this tankard and alms dish (lot 65).

More from Important American Silver

View All