Description:
Silver two-handled cup with a slightlyswelled cylindrical body on molded foot with flared rim, two long reeded strap handles on either side, slightly curving bottom edge, and applied cast base with beading and cyma curve molding and a center punch on the underside. The cup is marked "ID" in Roman letters in an oval twice - once on the side of the body near the handle and once on the underside - for John Dixwell (1680/81-1725), and engraved "Deerfield Chh" on the side. No firm provenance has been established for this cup, which is probably the oldest piece of silver formerly owned by the First Church in Deerfield. John Dixwell was the son of Jon Dixwell, Sr. (1607-1689) who was one of the English justices who tried and condemned King Charles I in 1649 and who had to flee to the colonies after restoration of the monarchy in 1660. This cup is an example of a new form of cup made for ecclesiastical use, which could be passed easily from one communicant to the next. Considered to be the first silversmith to make this form in America, Dixwell made similar cups from 1714-1722 for a number of New England churches including his own New North Church in Boston, in Milford and Norwich, Conn, and Charlestown and Medford, Mass. Formerly L85.17
Tags:
ceremonies Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+97.60.7 |
