Silver Presentation Pitcher

Date1851

Mediumsilver

Dimensions17 1/2 in. (44.5 cm)

Donor credit lineGift of Dunbar Lockwood

Object number1995.66.1

Institutional Credit LineCourtesy of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

DescriptionThis large silver urn form pitcher is one of a pair (with 1995.66.2) and matched to a salver as a set (1995.66.3). It is finely decorated with beading at the mouth, neck, base, and foot, and has a scroll handle with foliate overlay and a circular pedestal foot. It is engraved with a decorative program of grasses, wheat chafes and African violets at the shoulder and foot. The body of this pitcher is engraved with a detailed image of The John Avery Parker Mansion, once called the most imposing house ever built. The underside of the foot is stamped: "Bigelow Bros. & Kennard"/ "Boston"/ "Pure Coin Silver."

The John Avery Parker Mansion was a classic Greek Revival mansion with six doric columns, a lunette (Diocletian) window in the pediment, and raised entablature, and was located on County Street in New Bedford, and bounded by Pearl, State, and Willis Streets. Parker paid $100,000 in 1834 to have this mansion built. When he died in 1853, the Wamsutta Mills superintendent Thomas Bennett purchased it. His daughter sold it in 1902 and all but the south wing on Willis Street was demolished.

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