Hot dish cover

1855

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

Silver

Overall: 9 x 13 7/8 x 10 1/2 in. ( 22.9 x 35.2 x 26.7 cm )

Gift of the Honorable Perry Belmont

1936.16

On December 28, 1855, the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants of New York presented Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry with a 381-piece silver dinner service in acknowledgement of his successful negotiation of a treaty with Japan in 1854. In the letter of presentation the committee remarked, "To have brought this secluded Empire, into the intercourse of nations; is an achievement which may justly be ranked, among the greatest events of the age..."

DescriptionWrought and cast silver presentation hot dish cover for small meats; oval cover with a raised domed center, molded rim, and repoussé chased foliate and scroll cartouches around the Perry family crest, an anchor on fess below a hind's head, on one side and the inscription, "Presented to Commodore/ Matthew Calbraith Perry/ by the Chamber of Commerce and/ Merchants of New York" in script on the other side; cast laurel wreath loop handle with a feathered scroll joint screwed through the center of the dome; makers' marks stamped on the base.

Markingsengraved: in the front center cartouche: "Presented to Commodore/ Matthew Calbraith Perry/ by the Chamber of Commerce and/ Merchants of New York" in script stamped: on the underside of the dome: "WM GALE & SON/ NEW YORK" over "W/G/&/S" in an oval over, "1/53/8" in a diamond

ClassificationsSILVER