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Caster
Probably by: William Homes, Sr. (1716/17–1785)
1750–70
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
12.7 x 5.6 cm (5 x 2 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Robert E. Montgomery
Accession Number1973.626
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
This caster is one of four currently known by Homes. The pierced foliate decoration on the lid is unusual for a Boston-made caster, which ordinarily had more geometric piercings by this date.
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 pear-shaped caster with a center punch has a raised bowl-shaped lower section, to which a cast and molded circular foot has been soldered. An applied midband conceals the joint with the upper body, which has a seamed concave form that tapers inward to form a cylinder; applied molding is soldered at its rim. The tall domed lid with acorn finial has a flared rim and pierced and engraved foliate decoration. It has a friction-fitted lid with a worn flange.
Marks
Indistinctly marked "HO. . . " below rim of vessel, opposite seam.
InscriptionsEngraved "LB [conjoined] / L [pellet] L" below midband of vessel.
ProvenanceAccording to the donor, the caster was originally owned by Gov. William Bradford (1589 – 1657), but the engraved initials suggest that a more likely owner was Bradford’s great-granddaughter Lydia Bradford (1719 – 1756). In 1743 she became the second wife of Dr. Lazarus LeBaron (1698 – 1773) of Plymouth, Massachusetts, the son of Francis LeBaron, first doctor of the Plymouth Colony. The caster passed to their daughter Elizabeth (1745 – 1829) and Ammi Ruhami Robbins (1740 – 1813), m. 1762. Due to family history claiming descent through the eldest daughter, the caster probably passed to their daughter Elizabeth Robbins (1770 – 1815) and Grove Lawrence (b. 1766), m. 1789; to their daughter Eliza Lawrence (1793 – 1850) and Timothy J. Gridley (b. 1788); to their daughter Sarah Battell Gridley (b. 1825) and Charles E. Delano (1820 – 1883), m. 1848. The caster was transferred to her third cousin, the Rev. Howard Chandler Robbins, M.D. (1876 – 1952), and Mary Louise Bayles (1879 – 1965), m. 1907, and thence to their niece, the donor.