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Sons of Liberty Bowl
Paul Revere, Jr. (American, 1734–1818)
1768
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 14 x 27.9 cm (5 1/2 x 11 in.)
Other (Base): 14.8cm (5 13/16in.)
Other (Base): 14.8cm (5 13/16in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase with funds donated by contribution and the Francis Bartlett Donation of 1912
Accession Number49.45
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
The Liberty Bowl honored ninety-two members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives who refused to rescind a letter sent throughout the colonies protesting the Townshend Acts (1767), which taxed tea, paper, glass, and other commodities imported from England. This act of civil disobedience by the "Glorious Ninety-Two" was a major step leading to the American Revolution. The bowl was commissioned by fifteen members of the Sons of Liberty, a secret, revolutionary organization to which Revere belonged; their names are engraved on the bowl as are references to Englishman John Wilkes, whose writing in defense of liberty inspired American patriots. The Liberty Bowl, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution have been called the nation's three most cherished historical treasures. The bowl was purchased by the Museum in 1949, with funds that included seven hundred donations by Boston schoolchildren and the public.
Inscribed below the rim: "Caleb Hopkins, Nathl barber, John White, Willm Mackay, Danl Malcom, Benjn Goodwin, John Welsh, Fortescue Vernon, Danl Parker, John Marston, Ichbod Jones, John Homer, Willm Bowes, Peter Boyer, Benja Cobb."
One side, in a circle with a scroll and foliated frame topped by a Liberty cap flanked by flags is engraved: "Magna/Charta" and "Bill of/Rights." Inside the circle is inscribed: "No45. /Wilkes & Liberty" over a torn page labeled "Generall/Warrants."
Inscribed on the other side, a Liberty Cap in a wreath above leafy scrolls: "To the Memory of the glorious NINETY-TWO: Members/of the Honbl House of Representatives of the Massachusetts-Bay/who, undaunted by the insolent Menaces of Villains in Power/from a Strict Regard to Conscience, and the LIBERTIES/of their Constituents, on the 30th of June 1768 /Voted NOT TO RESCIND."
Inscribed below the rim: "Caleb Hopkins, Nathl barber, John White, Willm Mackay, Danl Malcom, Benjn Goodwin, John Welsh, Fortescue Vernon, Danl Parker, John Marston, Ichbod Jones, John Homer, Willm Bowes, Peter Boyer, Benja Cobb."
One side, in a circle with a scroll and foliated frame topped by a Liberty cap flanked by flags is engraved: "Magna/Charta" and "Bill of/Rights." Inside the circle is inscribed: "No45. /Wilkes & Liberty" over a torn page labeled "Generall/Warrants."
Inscribed on the other side, a Liberty Cap in a wreath above leafy scrolls: "To the Memory of the glorious NINETY-TWO: Members/of the Honbl House of Representatives of the Massachusetts-Bay/who, undaunted by the insolent Menaces of Villains in Power/from a Strict Regard to Conscience, and the LIBERTIES/of their Constituents, on the 30th of June 1768 /Voted NOT TO RESCIND."
InscriptionsEngraved in script below the rim "Caleb Hopkins, Nathl Barber, John White, Willm Mackay, Danl Malcom, Benjm Goodwin, John Welsh, Fortescue Vernon, Danl Parker, John Marston, Ichabod Jones, John Homer, Wilm Bowes, Peter Boyer, Benja Cobb." On one side in a bright-cut circle with a scroll and foliate frame topped by a Liberty Cap flanked by flags inscribed, respectively, "Magna / Charta" and "Bill of / Rights" is "No 45. / Wilkes & Liberty" over a torn page labeled "Generall Warrants."
On the opposite side, a Liberty Cap in a wreath is centered above horizontal and longer vertical leafy scrolls partly enclosing the famous inscription, "To the Memory of the glorious NINETY-TWO: Members / of the Honbl House of Representatives of the Massachusetts-Bay, / who, undaunted by the insolent Menaces of Villains in Power, / from a Strict Regard to Conscience, and the LIBERTIES / of their Constituents, on the 30th of June 1768, / Voted NOT TO RESCIND."
There is no lower line for the frame but a vertical device of conjoining open loops in below "TO." Beginning at the right of this scroll has been added since 1875 in script and block letters: "This BOWL commemorative of Events prior to the American Revolution, was purchased of the Associates whose names are inscribed upon its surface, by Wm MACKAY, one of their number, from whom upon his desease, in Jany 1801, it passed to Wm MACKAY, his Son, and upon the demise of the latter, in Feby 1832, it became the property of Wm Mackay, his grandson in direct line, a Resident of the City of New York.
In small script beginning under City: "The Associates were Citizens of Boston." On the bottom above the center point: "at whose death in 1873, it / passed into the hands of his / Brother Robt C. MACKAY of / Boston. and Robert C. Mackay on Mar. 11, 1902 / transferred it to MARIAN LINCOLN PERRY / of Providence, Rhode Island / a great great grand-daughter of JOHN MARSTON / one of the fifteen associates."
On the opposite side, a Liberty Cap in a wreath is centered above horizontal and longer vertical leafy scrolls partly enclosing the famous inscription, "To the Memory of the glorious NINETY-TWO: Members / of the Honbl House of Representatives of the Massachusetts-Bay, / who, undaunted by the insolent Menaces of Villains in Power, / from a Strict Regard to Conscience, and the LIBERTIES / of their Constituents, on the 30th of June 1768, / Voted NOT TO RESCIND."
There is no lower line for the frame but a vertical device of conjoining open loops in below "TO." Beginning at the right of this scroll has been added since 1875 in script and block letters: "This BOWL commemorative of Events prior to the American Revolution, was purchased of the Associates whose names are inscribed upon its surface, by Wm MACKAY, one of their number, from whom upon his desease, in Jany 1801, it passed to Wm MACKAY, his Son, and upon the demise of the latter, in Feby 1832, it became the property of Wm Mackay, his grandson in direct line, a Resident of the City of New York.
In small script beginning under City: "The Associates were Citizens of Boston." On the bottom above the center point: "at whose death in 1873, it / passed into the hands of his / Brother Robt C. MACKAY of / Boston. and Robert C. Mackay on Mar. 11, 1902 / transferred it to MARIAN LINCOLN PERRY / of Providence, Rhode Island / a great great grand-daughter of JOHN MARSTON / one of the fifteen associates."
Provenance1768, commissioned by fifteen members of the Sons of Liberty and purchased by one of the members, William Mackay (b. 1724 – d. 1801), Boston [see note 1]; 1801, to his son, William Mackay (b. 1767– d. 1832), Boston; 1832, to his son, William Mackay (d. 1873), New York; 1873, by inheritance to his brother, Robert Caldwell Mackay (b. 1800 – d. 1887), Boston; 1887, to his son, William Mackay (b. 1835 – d. 1902), Boston; March 11, 1902, sold by the Mackay family to Marian Lincoln Perry (b. 1862 – d. 1938), Providence [see note 2]; 1938, to her son, Marsden J. Perry (b. 1902 – d. 1970), Providence; 1949, sold by Marsden J. Perry to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 20, 1949)
NOTES:
[1] The Sons of Liberty were an underground political organization in the American colonies, formed in 1765 to resist British rule and taxation. The bowl was commissioned by fifteen members, Caleb Hopkins, Nathaniel Barber, John White, William Mackay, Daniel Malcom, Benjamin Goodwin, John Welsh, Fortescue Vernon, Daniel Parker, John Marston, Ichabod Jones, John Homer, William Bowes, Peter Boyer, and Benjamin Cobb, to honor the ninety-two members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives who refused to rescind a letter protesting the Townshend Acts (1767), which taxed tea, paper, glass, and other commodities imported from England.
[2] Marian Lincoln Perry was the great great grand-daughter of John Marston.
NOTES:
[1] The Sons of Liberty were an underground political organization in the American colonies, formed in 1765 to resist British rule and taxation. The bowl was commissioned by fifteen members, Caleb Hopkins, Nathaniel Barber, John White, William Mackay, Daniel Malcom, Benjamin Goodwin, John Welsh, Fortescue Vernon, Daniel Parker, John Marston, Ichabod Jones, John Homer, William Bowes, Peter Boyer, and Benjamin Cobb, to honor the ninety-two members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives who refused to rescind a letter protesting the Townshend Acts (1767), which taxed tea, paper, glass, and other commodities imported from England.
[2] Marian Lincoln Perry was the great great grand-daughter of John Marston.