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Chocolate pot
John Coney (American, 1655 or 1656–1722)
1701
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Overall (h x dia. of base): 20.5 x 9.2 cm (8 1/16 x 3 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Edward Jackson Holmes
Accession Number29.1091
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
In 1697 Samuel Sewall visited William Stoughton, lieutenant governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Sewall observed that they had "breakfast together on Venison and Chockalatte," and that "Massachusetts and Mexico met at his Honour's Table." A few years later, Stoughton left twelve pounds in his will to his niece, Sarah Byfield Tailer, with the stipulation that she acquire a piece of silver as a "particular remembrance" of him. Stoughton died in 1701, and Mrs. Tailer apparently commissioned Coney to make this chocolate pot-the earliest American example known-in fulfillment of his bequest.
DescriptionMoulded band around base and top. Moulded cover with removable finial. Curved spout with lines of beading at right angles to wooden scroll handle.
Marks
IC in rectangle on cover. Fleur de lis on bottom near handle.
InscriptionsEngraved on bottom "The gift of Wm. Stoughton Esquire to Mrs. Sara Tailer: 1701"
ProvenanceCommissioned by Sarah Byfield Tailer (b. 1682 - d. 1708) [see note 1]; to her husband, William Tailer (b. 1675/1676 - d. 1731/1732), and his second wife, Abigail Gillam Dudley Tailer. By 1928, Frederick Silsbee Whitwell (b. 1862 - d. 1941) and his wife, Gertrude Howard Whitwell (b. 1873), Boston [see note 2]; sold by Frederick Silsbee Whitwell to Edward Jackson Holmes (b. 1873 - d. 1950), Boston; 1929, gift of Edward Jackson Holmes to the MFA. (Accession Date: November 7, 1929)
NOTES:
[1] Lieutenant Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, William Stoughton, left twelve pounds in his will (executed July 6, 1701) to his nephew's wife, Sarah Byfield Tailer, with the stipulation that she acquire a piece of silver as a "particular remembrance" of him. [2] They lent the chocolate pot to the MFA on May 3, 1928. It may have passed to them by descent, through the Story and Bradstreet families.
NOTES:
[1] Lieutenant Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, William Stoughton, left twelve pounds in his will (executed July 6, 1701) to his nephew's wife, Sarah Byfield Tailer, with the stipulation that she acquire a piece of silver as a "particular remembrance" of him. [2] They lent the chocolate pot to the MFA on May 3, 1928. It may have passed to them by descent, through the Story and Bradstreet families.