Teapot
Date1740-1760
MediumSilver, wood
DimensionsH.(finial) 7"; H.(rim) 4 1/4"; Width at Belly: 5"; Width with handle and spout: 8 3/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1964-275
DescriptionPear-shaped teapot with concave neck, domed cover, peaked ball finial, wooden handle with scroll grip and lower scroll in straight, cylindrical sockets, and paneled, fowl's neck spout, all resting on a short, straight baseband. Molding around finial disc, cover, neck, and spout join.Teapot: peaked ball finial with circular disc attachment with molded edge to top of domed cover with applied mid-band and flared rim with molded-edged; cover attached by right-angle hinge to upper handle socket; fruitwood handle with scroll grip (early replacement) fitting straight cylindrical silver sockets; pear-form body with molding at rim and between concave neck and lower bulbous section resting on a sort straight baseband; paneled fowl’s neck spout with incised eye and molding concealing join with body.Label TextPear-shaped silver teapots were especially popular among New York silversmiths and their patrons during the first half of the eighteenth century. Examples of the form are known by Peter Van Dyck; Jacob Gerritse Lansing; Henricus Boelen II; Jesse Kip; and Daniel Christian Fueter. Although unmarked, the history of this handsome teapot in the Glen-Sanders families of New York confirms its attribution to a New York silversmith.Inscription(s)"C :/G :/B" and "ME" in block letters engraved on underside of base; the former may be for Catharina Sanders (1785-1835) and Gerard Beekman (1775-1833), married in 1810, and the latter probably engraved for Mary Elmendorf (1721-1794).ProvenanceEngraved "ME" in Roman capitals on underside of base: the similar problem exists with this inscription as with the "PEE" inscription on the former piece. It could be for either Mary Crooke Elmendorf (1721-1794), the wife of the first Peter Edmund Elmendorf (1715-1765) and the mother of Peter Edmund Elmendorf (1764-1835), or for Maria Elmendorf (1796-1869), the second and sole long-surviving child of the younger Peter Edmund Elmendorf by his first marriage to Elizabeth Van Rensselaer (1771-1798). Maria married Peter E. Sanders (1824-1891) in Albany on February 3, 1824. Because of the close family connection of the "PEE" and "ME" inscriptions and there having been executed by the same hand, this teapot is very likely the second of the two teapots paired in the previously discussed lists along with the preceding teapot. In that case, its later history of descent would be similar.
Also inscribed on the underside of the base are the initials "C :/G :/B" in Roman capitals. These could possibly be for Catharina Sanders (1785-1835) and Gerard Beekman (1775-1833), who were married in 1810. Catherina was the daughter of Johannes (John) Sanders II (1775-1834) and Debora Sanders (1758-1798), who were married in 1777. Catherina's youngest brother was Peter E. Sanders (1792-1850), who married Maria Elmendorf (1796-1869) in Albany on Feb. 3, 1824, that is, one of the possible correspondents to the other inscription. However, this could also be the teapot mentioned in Robert Sander's will, admitted to probate June 6, 1765, listed with the inscription "CG" (pending verification of the reading).
Glen-Sanders Collection, Scotia, NY
Vendor: Robert H. Palmiter, Bouckville, NY
1740-1760
