Lot 287
A 17th century American silver single-handled porringer,
Auction: 25 May 2006 at 12:00 BST
Description
with marker's mark struck twice, attributed to John Hull of Boston Massachusetts working 1624-1683, of circular bellied form, with pierced flat handle and slightly dished base
Dimensions
Diameter of bowl 12cm, overall width 18.4cm
Footnote
Provenance: Stirling Maxwell Collection, Pollok House
Note: For mark see Walpole Society, Amercian Silversmiths, by Hulls French, New York MCMXVII, page 66.
John Hull 1624-1683, born in Market Harborough, was the first silversmith to learn his craft in America. The son of a blacksmith, he was apprenticed to his half brother Richard Storer, who was formerly a member of the London Goldsmith's Guild. Hull is well-known as a producer of silver wine cups, many of which are well-documented. In 1652, he joined with Robert Sanderson and they proceeded to train a good many silversmiths of note and consequently are thought of as the founding fathers of New England Silver.