Artist/Maker John Vernon (1762 – 1842)

Mug

1794

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

Silver

Overall: 4 3/4 × 4 5/8 × 3 1/4 in., 8 oz (troy) 5.3 dwt (12.1 × 11.7 × 8.3 cm, 257.1 g)

Purchase, Belknap Fund

1973.6a

According to its original bill of sale, this mug was ordered by Benjamin White (1755-1841) from New York silversmith John Vernon on September 12, 1794, along with a sugar dish, milk pot, tea tongs, and six "table spoons" and "tea spoons" (also at N-YHS). Silver for the "mugg" cost £4.0.3, and its "fash[ion]n[ing]" or construction, £2.8. The engraved initials on the mug suggest that White, a merchant from Shrewsbury, New Jersey, purchased it for his own use. As the invoice shows, the material used for silver goods was far more expensive than the labor.

DescriptionWrought silver mug; circular body with straight sides tapering from the molded base band to the rim; double-scroll handle, forked at solid scroll terminal; engraved on the center front, "B M W" in bright-cut script; maker's marks on the base.

MarkingsEngraved on front center: "B M W" in bright-cut foliate script; maker's mark stamped on base: "I * V" in a rectangle, "P" in roman letters in a rectangle; unidentifiable pseudohallmark (possibly an eagle)

ClassificationsSILVER