Cann
ca. 1785
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 5 13/16 x 5 5/8 in. (14.8 x 14.3 cm); 13 oz. 19 dwt. (435.3 g) Lip: Diam. 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm) Base: Diam. 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm)
Classification
Cann
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Charles Allen Munn, 1924
Accession Number
24.109.20
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver cann, crafted around 1785 by American silversmith Stephen Emery exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of early Federal-era metalwork. Standing just under six inches tall and weighing nearly fourteen ounces, the vessel features a classic cylindrical form with a flared lip and sturdy base—ideal for serving beverages in colonial and post-Revolutionary households. Its modest yet balanced proportions reflect the practical elegance prized in American silver of the period. Silver objects like this cann held significant cultural value as markers of status and hospitality. In the l...