Metals
David Melville (Maker)
Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, New England, United States, North America
1779-1793
Pewter
Cast
1956.0009.001
Object Number1956.0009.001 |
Porringer
Metals
Museum purchase
David Melville (Maker)
1755-11/22/1793
David Melville served as an ensign in Captain Lemuel Bailey's company of Colonel Lipitt's Rhode Island regiment. He opened his shop on Thames Street, probably around 1779 when the British withdrew from Newport. In 1783 he moved to Long-Wharf. Laughlin reproduces the extensive inventory of David's shop taken at the time of his death. David's brothers likely used his marks when they took over the business at his death (Laughlin, vol.1, p.91-92).
David's brothers Samuel and Thomas, and his son Thomas, were also Newport pewterers.
For more on David Melville's marks, see Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.134-136; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.268; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.137; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.225. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America, vol.1, p.91-95.
Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, New England, United States, North America
1779-1793
1. Mark; Handle, topside center; "D:M" in a rectangle, stamped
Pewter
Cast
2.125 (H) , 7.875 (W) , 5.375 (Diam)
5.397 (H) , 20.003 (W) , 13.652 (Diam)
The diameter is of the bowl rim. The height listed above is at the tip of the handle. The height at the top of the bowl's rim is 1.875 inches.
Text available soon.
[Book] Montgomery, Charles F. 1973 A History of American Pewter.
• Published: figs. 9-1, 9-2 (handle bracket) and 9-7, pp.146-148; 151-152 and 154
[Book] The Pewter Collectors' Club of America Inc. 1984 Pewter in American Life.
• Published: p. 72