Pewterers' banner

1788

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Painted silk

Framed: 7 ft. 8 in. × 10 ft. × 2 3/4 in. (233.7 cm × 3 m 4.8 cm × 7 cm)

Gift of James S. Haring; Important support for conservation of the banner was provided by The Sherman Fairchild Foundation, the Greater Hudson Heritage Network, Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques, Morris W. Offit, the Pewter Collectors Club of America, Dr. and Mrs. Donald M. Herr, Bette Wolf, the Dutch Pewter Society, Edward McManus, Diane Markunas, and Sylvia J. Sillers

1903.12

This banner was carried by the Society of Pewterers of the City of New York in the Federal Procession of July 23, 1788, which celebrated the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. It is one of the only banners known to have survived from celebratory parades held in such cities as Baltimore, Charleston, Philadelphia, and Boston. The banner descended in the family of pewterer William J. Elsworth (1746-1814), who presumably carried the banner in the New York procession.

DescriptionPainted silk banner with fringe on top, bottom, and right sides; painted American flag with 13 stars in upper left corner; pewterers' arms below flag, with two figures on either side of a shield and banner reading "SOLID AND PURE."; at right, painted image of interior of a pewterer's shop, with "SOCIETY of PEWTERERS" painted above shelf of three pewter objects; four figures at work making pewter objects.

InscribedPainted at top right: "The Federal Plan Most Solid & Secure / Americans Their Freedom Will Endure / All Art Shall Flourish in Columbia's Land / And All her Sons Join as One Social Band"; below shield: "SOLID AND PURE."; above shop image: "SOCIETY OF PEWTERERS"

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