Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State

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Pair of American Silver Vegetable Dishes and Covers

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Object Details

Maker
William Thomson (Silversmith, active New York 1804-1845)
Date
ca. 1830
Geography
United States: New York: New York City
Culture
North American
Medium
metal; silver
Dimensions
Various sizes
Provenance
Ex-collection the donor.
Inscriptions
In 20th-century script on the bottom of 82.50.1, "C.M. Brady", and on the bottom of 82.50.2, "David Lydig" Marks: "WThomson" in script within a conforming cartouche at one end of the bottom; "NEW YORK" in a small rectangle at each long side of the bottom; "4" stamped under the handle, on the lip of the top, and the lip of the dish of 82.50.1 The same maker's mark and "NEW YORK" struck once in the corner of the bottom, and on the underside of the handle; "1830" in a rectangle under the handle; and "2" stamped under the handle, on the lip of the top, and on the lip of the dish 82.50.2.
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Amory Houghton
Collection
The Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.
Accession Number
RR-1982.0050.1-.2

Object Essay

Cushion-form or rectangular, covered vegetable dishes with gadrooned edges and removable loop handles were produced in great quantities in both English silver and fused (Sheffield) silver plate during the first third of the 19th century. Such dishes are exceedingly rare in American-made silver, however. Many fused plate examples were imported for sale in this country and undoubtedly served as the prototypes for this rare pair by William Thomson.

The engraving on these dishes is probably a later addition. The stamped numbers 2 and 4 indicate that these were probably originally part of a matched set of four.1The closest American relation to this pair may be the unusual rectangular tureen made by Hugh Wishart, also of New York, about 1815, now at The New-York Historical Society. The removable loop handles swivel to unlock and permit the covers to be inverted and to function as dishes. The gadrooning on the covers serves as shallow feet and the inner rims of the cover have applied gadrooned borders, which are exposed when the covers are inverted.

William Thomson is listed in New York City directories at 99 Broadway in 1810 and 1811; 399 Broadway from 1812 to 1814; 118 William Street from 1815 to 1820; at 117 Broadway from 1821 to 1822; and at 129 William Street from 1823 to 1833 and again between 1841 and 1845. He was followed in business by James Thomson, possibly a son or nephew.2Von Khrum, 128.

Jennifer F. Goldsborough

Excerpted from Clement E. Conger, et al. Treasures of State: Fine and Decorative Arts in the Diplomatic Reception Rooms of the U.S. Department of State. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1991.