Beaker
ca. 1715
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: H. 4 15/16 in. (12.6 cm); 6 oz. 2 dwt. (189.2 g) Lip: Diam. 3 11/16 in. (9.4 cm) Base: Diam. 2 15/16 in. (7.5 cm)
Classification
Beaker
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater, 1933
Accession Number
33.120.120
Art Historical Context
Crafted around 1715 by New York silversmith Moody Russell, this elegant silver beaker exemplifies the finest early American craftsmanship during the Queen Anne period. Standing just under 5 inches tall with a flared lip and sturdy base, it weighs a substantial 6 ounces, reflecting the durability and luxury of silver tableware in colonial households. Russell, active in Manhattan's bustling silversmith trade, produced such vessels for affluent patrons, blending English influences with emerging American styles. In 18th-century America, beakers like this were essential for serving punch, ale, or ...