Object Number 1956.0046.022

Object Name

Basin (Baptismal basin)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Charles K. Davis

Creator (Role)

Leonard, Reed & Barton (Maker)
1835-1840
Leonard, Reed & Barton were the successors to the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company in 1835. When the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing company failed, three former employees--Benjamin Pratt (a company agent), Henry G. Reed (a spinner), and Charles E. Barton (a solderer)--leased the space and tools from the owner Horatio Leonard. Leornard, Reed & Barton employed about twelve men and principally made communion vessels, tea sets and lamps. At the exhibition of the American Institute in New York in 1838, they were awarded a gold medal for quality, neatness, and elegance of finish. Leonard was in charge of the business's financial affairs while Reed and Barton ran the factory. Leonard died in 1840, the firm continued as Reed & Barton. For more on Leonard, Reed & Barton's marks, see C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.265; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.136; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.224. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.106 and 110, and vol.3, p.185-186 and Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.127.

Gustavus Leonard (Maker)-1840
Leonard, Reed & Barton were the successors to the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company in 1835. When the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing company failed, three former employees--Benjamin Pratt (a company agent), Henry G. Reed (a spinner), and Charles E. Barton (a solderer)--leased the space and tools from the owner Horatio Leonard. Leornard, Reed & Barton employed about twelve men and principally made communion vessels, tea sets and lamps. At the exhibition of the American Institute in New York in 1838, they were awarded a gold medal for quality, neatness, and elegance of finish. Leonard was in charge of the business's financial affairs while Reed and Barton ran the factory. Leonard died in 1840, the firm continued as Reed & Barton. For more on Leonard, Reed & Barton's marks, see C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.265; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.136; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.224. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.106 and 110, and vol.3, p.185-186 and Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.127.

Henry G. Reed (Maker)
Leonard, Reed & Barton were the successors to the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company in 1835. When the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing company failed, three former employees--Benjamin Pratt (a company agent), Henry G. Reed (a spinner), and Charles E. Barton (a solderer)--leased the space and tools from the owner Horatio Leonard. Leornard, Reed & Barton employed about twelve men and principally made communion vessels, tea sets and lamps. At the exhibition of the American Institute in New York in 1838, they were awarded a gold medal for quality, neatness, and elegance of finish. Leonard was in charge of the business's financial affairs while Reed and Barton ran the factory. Leonard died in 1840, the firm continued as Reed & Barton. For more on Leonard, Reed & Barton's marks, see C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.265 and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.224. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.106 and 110, and vol.3, p.185-186 and Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.127.

Charles E. Barton (Maker)
Leonard, Reed & Barton were the successors to the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company in 1835. When the Taunton Britannia Manufacturing company failed, three former employees--Benjamin Pratt (a company agent), Henry G. Reed (a spinner), and Charles E. Barton (a solderer)--leased the space and tools from the owner Horatio Leonard. Leornard, Reed & Barton employed about twelve men and principally made communion vessels, tea sets and lamps. At the exhibition of the American Institute in New York in 1838, they were awarded a gold medal for quality, neatness, and elegance of finish. Leonard was in charge of the business's financial affairs while Reed and Barton ran the factory. Leonard died in 1840, the firm continued as Reed & Barton. For more on Leonard, Reed & Barton's marks, see C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.265; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.136; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.224. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.2, p.106 and 110, and vol.3, p.185-186 and Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.127.

Place of Origin

Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Date

1837-1840

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Underside, center of bowl; "LEONARD REED & BARTON" stamped incuse in serifed Roman letters. "ON" is partly obscured by corrosion.

Subjects

Religion associated

Materials

Britannia metal

Techniques

Cast

Dimensions (inches)

6 (H) , 7.675 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

15.24 (H) , 19.494 (Diam)

Measurement Notes

The diameter is of the rim. The diamter of the foot base is 5.375 inches. The basin was analyzed by Winterthur's Scientific laboratory in 1972. Its composition is: 93.4% tin, 5.3% antimony, and 1.2% copper, with traces of arsenic. See: results in conservation object files.

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Montgomery, Charles F. 1973 A History of American Pewter.
• Published: fig. 4-10, p. 64
[Article] Goyne, Nancy A. 1965 Britannia in America: The Introduction of a New Alloy and a New Industry. Winterthur Portfolio. (II): 160-196.
• Published: fig. 37, p. 188
[Book] Ebert, Katherine. 1973 Collecting American Pewter.
• Publised: p. 87