Porringer

Date1794-1801

Marked by Samuel Hamlin Sr. 1746 - 1801

MediumPewter

DimensionsOH: 1 1/2"; OL: 6 1/4"; Diam (rim): 4 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1950-917

DescriptionPewter porringer: broad circular bowl of squat proportions with straight-sided, outward-flaring rim on short convex sides and flat base, domed in center and flat openwork flowered handle of shaped triangular outline soldered to bowl below rim with shaped attachmentLabel TextSamuel Hamlin Sr. probably served his apprenticeship between 1760 and 1767 under Thomas Danforth II and possibly Jacob Whitmore, both of Middletown, Connecticut. He was involved in a partnership with Danforth that was dissolved late in 1773. We know that Hamlin used Danforth moulds after he had moved to Providence, Rhode Island, in the latter year, for when Danforth died in 1782, his son Joseph traveled to Providence to recover some of his father's molds from Hamlin.

Samuel Hamlin is believed to have introduced into Rhode Island the flowered handle, seen in its full form in CWF accessions 1950-916 and 1952-262. Hamlin probably brought it in porringer or even mould form from Thomas Danforth II's or Jacob Whitmore's shop.
Mark(s)Marked in relief on upper face of handle with an eagle displayed with a vertically-striped shield superimposed and holding an olive branch in its right talons and a group of arrows in its left talons with banners and stars above and "HAMLIN" below [Laughlin 336]ProvenanceVendor: Dr. Percy E. Raymond, Lexington, Massachusetts; 1950-917