Partial dinner, tea, and coffee service

1855

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

see individual object records

Gift of the Honorable Perry Belmont

1936.13-393

On December 28, 1855, the Chamber of Commerce and Merchants of New York presented Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry with a 381-piece silver coffee, tea, and 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..." The service was manufactured by William Gale, one of New York City's foremost silversmiths, and cost over $6,000 to make.

DescriptionHollowware decorated with repoussé-chased flowers and foliage includes large salver; 6 dish covers; 2 soup tureens; 5 vegetable dishes; fruit bowl; 2 sauceboats; 4 saltcellars; coffeepot; tea kettle; sugar bowl; creamer; 2 bonbon dishes. Knot-pattern flatware includes 2 serving forks; 6 serving spoons; 2 soup ladles; 2 fish serving forks; 2 fish slices; 4 asparagus tongs; 2 cheese scoops; 4 butter serving knives; 2 butter knives; 2 sifter ladles; 2 mustard spoons; 2 berry spoons; ice tongs; 34 table forks; 35 dessert forks; 26 table knives; 35 dessert knives; 36 tablespoons; 69 teaspoons; 36 dessert spoons; 5 coffee spoons; and 35 nut picks.

INSCRIPTION: "PRESENTED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND MERCHANTS OF / New York / TO COMMODORE / Matthew Calbraith Perry / in acknowledgement of the signal services which / he has rendered / to AMERICA and to the WORLD, by / his able and successful negotiation of the TREATY with JAPAN" and Perry family crest engraved on face of salver. "Presented to Commodore / Matthew Calbraith Perry / by the Chamber of Commerce and / Merchants of New York" and Perry family crest engraved on hollowware. "M. C. P." and Perry family crest engraved on obverse or reverse of selected flatware handle-ends.

Markings"WM. GALE & SON / NEW-YORK" and "W G & S" in oval, contiguous circle, and "1 / 5 / 58" in contiguous diamond struck on undersides of all hollowware. "WM. GALE & SON" struck on flatware.

ClassificationsSILVER