An American Silver Porringer, by Samuel Casey, Little Rest/South Kingston, Rhode Island, 1750-1770
of typical form, the pierced spatulate handle engraved with initials 'H' over 'T*E', with slightly domed base 20cm wide over handle, 7oz 13dwt, 238gr
Samuel Casey was born around 1724 and worked in Little Rest, now Kingston, Rhode Island. His work would appear to have been of a good quality with a number of pieces known. Of his porringers Alice H. R. Hauck, editor, notes '.. the porringers are typical of the period, having nicely shaped convex bodies, domed centers, and keyhole handles. Casey's superb craftsmanship can clearly be seen in the perfect form and careful finish of these simple pieces.' (A. Hauck, editor, Amerian Silver 1670-1830 The Moore Collection at Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island, 1980, p. 70. The Moore collection includes five examples with at least one having a seemingly identical handle to the present example ( op. cit. , pp.70-71 and pl. 54). Two other examples are in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, each again has the same piercing on the spatulate handle. Both entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater in 1933 (museum numbers 33.120.333 and 33.120.334). Marked under handle 'S Casey'. There is some wear to the marks but it is generally legible. There is is some overall surface scratching and wear, consistent with age and use. There has been a repair to the lower edge inside the bowl. This has been partly patched underneath and with some bruising in this area. There is some orange peel effect to the surface inside, perhaps caused by the repair. There are some dings and bruises overall.