Creamer

1855

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

Silver

Overall: 4 3/4 × 9 1/2 × 5 3/4 in., 16 oz (troy) 2.8 dwt (12.1 × 24.1 × 14.6 cm, 502 g)

Gift of the Honorable Perry Belmont

1936.35

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 creamer with a bulbous, urn-shaped body with repoussé chased foliate and scroll cartouches around the Perry family crest, an anchor on fess below a hind's head, on one side of the body 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; applied egg and dart band around the shoulder; high, incurved neck with a high, short, narrow pouring lip and an egg and dart band applied around the rim; hinged, domed lid fitted to the shape of the rim and surmounted by a cast foliate finial; body seated on a stepped pedestal with an egg and dart band around the joint and the footring; cast scroll handle in the form of a vine with a grape bunch grip applied to the rear of the body; makers' marks stamped on the base.

Markingsengraved: on the body: 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 stamped: on the base: "WM. GALE & SON/ NEW YORK" over "W/ G/ &/ S" in an oval over, "1/55/8" in a diamond

ClassificationsSILVER