Sugar bowl

Davis, Palmer & Co. (active 1838–1845)
Thomas Aspinwall Davis (1798–1845)
Julius A. Palmer (1803–1872)
Josiah G. Bachelder (American, active 1837–1870)

1838–45

Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Medium/Technique Silver

Dimensions 16 x 23 x 16.9 cm (6 5/16 x 9 1/16 x 6 5/8 in.)

Credit Line Source unidentified

Accession NumberRES.64.10.1a-b

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAmericas

ClassificationsSilver hollowware

Davis, Palmer & Co. offered a varied line of luxury goods to Boston’s carriage trade (see cat. no. 143). This large sugar bowl and creampot, decorated with melon reeding and heavy bud-and-leaf finial, retain some of the plain surface of the late Neoclassical style while boasting elements of the new rococo revival, as seen in the winsome asymmetrical bud finial and the dense foliage of the bracket feet.

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 shallowly lobed and rounded body of the sugar bowl sits on cast, conjoined bracket feet composed of foliate decoration. Ear-shaped handles with acanthus grips and flat tips attach at the shoulders and body. The domed cover has confoming lobes and a flared rim. A bud-and-leaf finial is attached with a screw and bolt.

Marks Davis Palmer & Co. in rectangle and Pure / Coin in rectangle stamped on base.
Ada Mark X

InscriptionsEngraved script T & / MAS

ProvenanceAccessioned September 23, 1964, from an unknown source.
Possibly brought in for use at administrative/social museum functions by a member of the Ladies' Committee.