Sugar bowl with cover

ca. 1863

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

Silver

Overall: 6 1/4 × 8 3/4 × 6 in., 23 oz (troy) 8.8 dwt (15.9 × 22.2 × 15.2 cm, 729.1 g)

Gift of Mrs. Walter (Julia Stimers) Durbrow

1940.479ab

On February 2, 1863, Alban C. Stimers (1827-1876), chief engineer of the ironclad warship USS Monitor, was given a five-piece tea and coffee service, including this small sugar bowl. The set was presented in the midst of the Civil War by John Ericsson (1803-1889), the illustrious Swedish-born designer of the ship, and a group of prominent New Yorkers. The set was custom-made for the occasion, as witnessed by ornament such as the sugar bowl's finial, a model of a Watts-type centrifugal governor (a device used to regulate engine speed), and its rope-framed medallion, anchor midband, and handles with Neptune masks.

DescriptionCast and wrought silver presentation sugar bowl; squat, globular body with an applied band of engraved anchors linked by a rope, around the center; two applied oval medallions with rope borders and cast eagles on oak tree branches applied to the tops; one medallion engraved, "Presented to/ Alban C. Stimers Ch. Engr. U.S.N./ to commemorate important services/ rendered to his Country/ on board/ THE MONITOR./ before and during her memorable conflict/ with the MERRIMAC./ in Hampton Roads./ March 9th 1862." in script and an engraved image of the "Merrimac" on the other; seated on a circular foot; two cast squared strap handles with applied, cast crowned head's of Neptune and laurel leaf joints; circular, domed lid with a rope border and surmounted by a cast finial comprised of a Watts type centrifugal governor (used for regulating the speeds of engines), a cannon and a bayonet; makers' marks stamped on the base.

Markingsengraved: on front medallion: "Presented to/ Alban C. Stimers Ch. Engr. U.S.N./ to commemorate important services/ rendered to his Country/ on board/ THE MONITOR./ before and during her memorable conflict/ with the MERRIMAC./ in Hampton Roads./ March 9th 1862." in script and block letters stamped: on the base: "TIFFANY & CO." in a banner over "1000" over ENGLISH STERLING/ 925-1000" in a conforming rectangle over "8392" over "550 Broadway" in a banner all between two gothic "M" in ovals

ClassificationsSILVER