Artist/Maker William Adams (ca. 1801 - 1861)

Mug

ca. 1841

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

Silver

Overall: 4 3/4 × 2 3/4 × 4 in. (12.1 × 7 × 10.2 cm)

Purchase

1984.129

The American Institute was founded in NY in 1827 as a national organization dedicated to supporting the industrial and agrarian arts. Its annual fairs, held in Mechanics Hall, and later Masonic Hall and Niblo's Garden, were in the words of Luther Bradish, a former Governor of New York and 10th President of the N-YHS, "extensive and brilliant displays of the most valuable specimens of domestic skill and industry." The Institute awarded Corning V. Sotham the mug "for the best Cotswold bucks."

DescriptionWrought silver mug; cylindrical body flared at the rim with an applied egg and dart band; seated on a molded and stepped pedestal with an applied egg and dart footring; cast s-scroll handle; engraved on the center of the body, "Awarded by the/ American Institute/ at the 14th Annual Fair 1841/ To Corning V. Sotham/ For the Best Cotswold/ Bucks" in gothic and plain script; maker's marks on the base.

Markingsengraved: center: "Awarded by the/ American Institute/ at the 14th Annual Fair 1841/ To Corning V. Sotham/ For the Best Cotswold/ Bucks" in gothic and plain script stamped: on base: "W. ADAMS" in a serrated rectangle above "NEW-YORK" in a serrated rectangle

ClassificationsSILVER