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Bowl
Jacob Hurd (American, 1702 or 1703–1758)
about 1722–58
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
8.1 x 18.7 cm (3 3/16 x 7 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Beatrice Hardcastle Magruder in memory of her father, Alfred Putnam Lowell
Accession Number1991.789
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
Embellished with a dynamic, asymmetrical Rococo engraving of unidentified arms, the bowl is one of the largest of five surviving examples by Jacob Hurd that range in diameter from 4 to 71/2 inches.1 Its simple hemispherical shape recalls the Sons of Liberty bowl by Revere and the grand punch bowl made about 1708 – 9 by John Coney for Walter Riddell (cat. no. 32). All these vessels emulate imported Chinese forms then popular in England and the colonies.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
DescriptionThe raised hemispherical bowl with everted walls has an applied rim and a small circular base with slight exterior molding. Firescale is noticeable. A small stress crack is below the rim, three inches to the left of the arms.
Marks
Surname "HURD" stamped on base in small roman capitals within a rectangle.
Inscriptions"E / I = L" is engraved on the base in roman capitals over lightly scored guide lines; scratch weight of 14 oz [illegible] 7" is faintly visible.
Unidentified arms are engraved within a Rococo cartouche, surrounded with shell and scroll forms, flanked by slender leaves and swagged below. The arms, emblazoned on a field argent, a fess or between two barrulet azur cotised.
Unidentified arms are engraved within a Rococo cartouche, surrounded with shell and scroll forms, flanked by slender leaves and swagged below. The arms, emblazoned on a field argent, a fess or between two barrulet azur cotised.
ProvenancePossibly Elizabeth Cutt (b. 1709 – d. 1805) and the Rev. Joseph Whipple (b. 1701 – d. 1757) or Elizabeth Cutt Whipple through her second marriage to the Rev. John Lowell (b. 1704 – d. 1767) [see note 1]; by descent to Judge John Lowell (b. 1743 – d. 1802); by descent to his son, Rev. Charles Lowell (b. 1782 – d. 1861) and his wife Harriett Brackett Spence (b. 1783 – d. 1850), Boston; by descent to their daughter Mary Traill Spence Lowell (1810 – 1898) and her husband Samuel Raymond Putnam (b. 1797 – d. 1861); probably by descent to their daughter Georgina Lowell Putnam (b. 1835); probably by descent to her cousin Charles Lowell (b. 1855 – d. 1905); by descent to his daughter Mary Beatrice Lowell (b. 1888) and her husband, Frederick Southgate Bigelow (b. 1871 – d. 1954); by descent to her brother, Alfred Putman Lowell (b. 1890 – d. 1954) and his wife, Catherine Hay Bowles (b. 1890 – d. 1969); by descent to his daughter, Beatrice Hardcastle Magruder; gift of Mrs. Magruder to the MFA.
NOTES:
[1] At the time of this later marriage, the initials “E / I = L” were added, an unusual arrangement of letters that appears to be an anomaly.
NOTES:
[1] At the time of this later marriage, the initials “E / I = L” were added, an unusual arrangement of letters that appears to be an anomaly.