Object Number 1966.0072

Object Name

Tankard

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Miss Gertrude Brinckle

Creator (Role)

John Bayly Sr. (Maker)
1725-October 1789

Place of Origin

Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Date

4/22/1846 (1760-1780)

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Body, left of handle; "I·B" stamped in a rounded rectangle
2. Inscription ; Body, exterior, opposite handle; "To / Dr. William Ramsey / in / grateful memory / of / kindness, skill and devoted service / April 22, 1846." engraved
3. Inscription; Body, underside; "1760" incised
4. Inscription; Body, underside; "1760" incised
5. Inscription; Body, underside; "18=15=7" incised
6. Inscription; Body, underside; "18=15=7" incised
7. Inscription; Body, underside; "31" incised
8. Inscription; Body, underside; "[?]" illegible, incised

Materials

Silver

Techniques

Wrought, Engraved, Cast

Dimensions (inches)

7.087 (H) , 7.441 (L) , 5.433 (W) , 34.1099 (Weight)

Dimensions (centimeters)

18 (H) , 18.9 (L) , 13.8 (W) , 967 (Weight)

Measurement Notes

Diameter is of base.

Object Description

Web - 12/10/2018

This tankard began its life as a drinking vessel made by a prominent Philadelphia goldsmith/silversmith John Bayly (Bayley) for an unknown patron. Bayly's diverse business encompassed retailing imported jewelry and fancy goods from London, making small silver items for Native American trade negotiations as well as local patrons, having enslaved (or employed) African Americans skilled in the goldsmith trade (at least two), and in the 1760-70s leasing businesses (blacksmith, shopkeeper, public house) on his 160-acre property in Yellow Springs, Chester County. This tankard was engraved with a deeply appreciative dedication long after the maker's death and given to Philadelphia physician, Dr. William Rumsey (1789-1871). Alas, the presenter of the gift remains anonymous. Dr. Rumsey had family ties to Wilmington, Delaware where the tankard descended as a family heirloom.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Quimby, Ian M. G. 1995 American Silver at Winterthur.
• Published: p. 336, no. 321
[Book] Belden, Louise C. 1980 Marks of American Silversmiths in the Ineson-Bissell Collection. 506 p.
• Information on John Bayley, p. 52
[Book] Garvan, Beatrice B. & Barquist, David L. 2018 American Silver in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 1.
• Biography pp.134-144.