Advanced Search 
Sugar bowl
W. G. Forbes (died in 1796)
about 1800
Object Place: New York, New York, United States
Medium/Technique
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 18.2 x 16.5 x 10.5 cm (7 3/16 x 6 1/2 x 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. James Stuart Smith
Accession Number63.635a-b
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
With its ring handles and refined form, this sugar bowl was made by William Garrett Forbes, patriarch of a distinguished New York City silversmithing family. It represents one of the successful variations on the form produced during the federal period. As Deborah Dependahl Waters has pointed out, the lower profile and gentle curves of this style of bowl, also seen on a closely related three-piece tea set in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York, represent a slightly later evolution of the more vertical, geometric forms of a few years earlier.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
This text has been adapted from "Silver of the Americas, 1600-2000," edited by Jeannine Falino and Gerald W.R. Ward, published in 2008 by the MFA. Complete references can be found in that publication.
DescriptionThe sugar bowl has a seamed oval body, curved cushion shoulder, and a slightly convex side; it rests on an oval foot ring. The conforming separate lid has a boat-shaped urn finial and is fitted with pendant ring handles descending from shell-like cast scrolls. A band of bright-cut engraving is at the shoulder of the bowl, and a bright-cut engraved medallion on the front.
Marks
"W.G. Forbes" in script in a rectangle and with an eagle's head, struck on bottom.
Inscriptions"W" engraved inside bowl; "13" scratched on base. Engraved on side within an ellipse with a crest of a griffen on a torse, above the motto "EN DIE EST TOUT"; the ellipse on the other side is unengraved
ProvenanceHistory unknown prior to its gift by Mrs. James Stuart Smith of North Chatham, Massachusetts.