Object Number 1956.0046.011

Object Name

Dish (Charger)

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Charles K. Davis

Creator (Role)

Nathaniel Austin (Maker)
1741-03/05/1818
Nathaniel Austin is a distant relative of Richard Austin. Nathaniel Austin (one of many Nathaniel Austins, one of whom was a goldsmith active in Boston) was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He started his business in 1763; with the arrival of the British in 1776, he lost his home and shop during the bombardment of the town. After fleeing to Lunenburg, he returned to Charlestown after the British departed, around 1780. For more on Nathaniel Austin's marks, see Kauffman, The American Pewterer (1970), p.131; Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.215; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.22-23; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.121; and C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.237. See also Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.1, p.75-76 and J.B. Kerfoot, American Pewter (1942), p.85-86 (though Kerfoot treats the two Nathaniels--pewterer and goldsmith--as one and the same).

Place of Origin

Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, New England, United States, North America

Date

1780-1800

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Underside, center; An eagle within an arch with columns, stamped
2. Mark; Underside, center; "N·A" in a shield, stamped
3. Mark; Underside, center; Seated Britannia in a square, stamped
4. Mark; Underside, center; A standing fowl in a square, stamped
5. Mark; Underside, center; Lion's head in a square, stamped

Materials

Pewter

Techniques

Cast

Dimensions (inches)

1 (H) , 15 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

2.54 (H) , 38.1 (Diam)

Measurement Notes

The dish height is an average as the edge undulates greatly.

Object Description

Text available soon.