Retailer
J. and I. Cox
(active ca. 1817 - 1853)
Tray
ca. 1830
Place made, possiblyEngland
Place made, possiblyNew York, New York
Silver
Overall: 14 5/8 × 24 3/8 × 1 3/8 in., 78 oz (troy) 6.4 dwt (37.1 × 61.9 × 3.5 cm, 2436 g)
Bequest of John B. Morris Jr.
1957.191b
This tray is part of a set of three that belonged to Susan Arden (1766-1849), the daughter of New York merchant Thomas Arden (1721-1798. The set is boldly engraved with Arden's initials and family crest. With their oversized monogram, the trays conveyed a strong statement of power and wealth, particularly for a woman of the period (and, not inconsequentially, one who was unmarried). This sumptuous set of three trays, in graduated sizes, required more than 283 ounces of silver.
DescriptionWrought silver tray; flat, chamfered, rectangular base with raised, convex sides and an applied, cast reeded band around the rim; two cast corkscrew handles with curved grips applied to opposite sides; sides outlined with wheel turned decoration; three bands of punched and engraved semi-circles with foliate motifs in their centers around the edges of the tray; "SA" engraved in script in the center, below the Arden family arms, five ostrich feathers; makers' marks stamped on the base.Markingsengraved: center: "SA" in script, below the Arden family arms, five ostrich feathers
engraved: on the base: "Oz dwts/ 80 5"
stamped: on the base: "J & I. COX" in roman letters in a rectangle above "N-YORK" in roman letters in a rectangle
ClassificationsSILVER
