Metals
Joseph Danforth Sr. (Maker)
Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, New England, United States, North America
1780-1788
Pewter
Cast
1960.0945
Object Number1960.0945 |
Plate
Metals
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
Joseph Danforth Sr. (Maker)
08//1758-1788
Joseph Danforth Sr was grandson of Thomas I, son of Thomas II; brother of Thomas III, Edward, Jonathan (of Middletown) and Samuel (of Middletown); father of Joseph Jr; uncle to Josiah; nephew of John; cousin of Samuel (both of Norwich).
Nineteen members of the Danforth family, spread over five generations, became invovled with manufacturing pewter or britannia. Joseph probably worked closely with his father, Thomas II, in the Middletown shop. Joseph took over Thomas II's business at the latter's death in 1782. Joseph's brother and former apprentice, Jonathan (of Middletown), took over the business on Joseph's death in 1788.
For more on Joseph Danforth's marks, see John Carl Thomas, Connecticut Pewter and Pewterers (1976), p.88; Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.219; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.128-130; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.65-67; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.248; and Kauffman, The American Pewterer (1970), p.138. See also Thomas, Connecticut Pewter, p.50-145; Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.1, p.115-117.
Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut, New England, United States, North America
1780-1788
1. Mark ; Underside of base; "JOSEP " in an arched oval above and "DANFORTH" below with a rampant lion in the center between two fluted columns, stamped and partially effaced.
2. Mark ; Underside of base; "JOSEP " in an arched oval above and "DANFORTH" below with a rampant lion in the center between two fluted columns, stamped and partially effaced.
3. Mark ; Underside of base; "I.D" stamped in a shield.
4. Mark ; Underside of base; Animal or lion's head stamped in a shield.
5. Mark ; Underside of base; Seated Britannia stamped in a shield.
6. Mark; Underside; Vertical dagger stamped in a shield.
Pewter
Cast
0.591 (H) , 7.874 (Diam)
1.5 (H) , 20 (Diam)
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