Metals
James Porter (Maker)
Connecticut Valley, United States, North America
1795-1803
Pewter
Cast
1955.0048.036
Object Number1955.0048.036 |
Plate
Metals
Gift of Charles K. Davis
James Porter (Maker)
August, 1772
Thomas posits that if Porter began as an apprentice at age 14 or 15 he might have apprenticed under Joseph Danforth about 1786 and continued under Jonathan & William Danforth about 1794. He might have worked for or with William Danforth. He seemed to have primarily worked in Connecticut but also traveled south to Baltimore, perhaps on a seasonal basis. Porter is listed in the Baltimore Directory in1803 but also in that year he and his wife had a child in Middletown, Connecticut. In 1805 he sold one piece of Connecticut property in again in 1809 where the newspaper cites him "James Porter, formerly of Middletown, now of Baltimore in the state of Maryland", suggesting that he settled in that city by that time (Thomas, p.158-159).
For more on James Porter's marks, see Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.147; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.140; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.274; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.226. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.1, p.126-127.
Connecticut Valley, United States, North America
Origin may be Baltimore, Maryland.
1795-1803
1. Mark; Underside, center; An eagle and stars in an oval, stamped
2. Mark; Underside, center; An eagle and stars in a beaded oval, stamped
Pewter
Cast
0.675 (H) , 7.875 (Diam)
1.715 (H) , 20.003 (Diam)
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