Washington Winter Show 2015

46 This page is sponsored by Kirk Brady, Dede Caughman and Sissy Zimmerman in honor of the St. John’s Community Services students scale, with more intricate repoussé and chased ornament. American silversmiths copied these designs from books, examples found in fine art, and encounters with physical examples Generally American wares were more restrained and smaller in size than their European counterparts. When the War of 1812 (1812–15) was declared by President James Madison (1809–17) on June 18, 1812, intense battles followed soon thereafter, triggering an increase in the production of silver presentation pieces. Committees of citizens in cities such as Baltimore and Philadelphia, and states such as Virginia and Rhode Island financed and commissioned silver presentation pieces for the many heroes the war produced. 5 On August 2, 1812, Constitution under the command of Captain Isaac Hull ran the British blockade of Boston harbor and sailed for Nova Scotia where she sank two British merchant ships. Off the Gulf of the St. Lawrence on August 19th she sighted the 49-gun frigate Guerrière which immediately opened fire, but the British cannon balls bounced harmlessly off her oaken hull. The American sailors cheered and christened their ship “Old Ironsides.” As the ships drew abreast Captain Hull gave the order to fire, and over the next half hour repeated broadsides shattered Guerrière’s foremast and mainmast and shredded most of her rigging. Dead in the water, Guerrière surrendered. The British prisoners were transferred to Constitution, and the hulk was burned. It was the first major naval victory of the young United States over the world’s foremost naval power. 6 Less than one month later it was, “[r]esolved, that a piece of Plate [silver] of the most elegant workmanship, ornamented with appropriate emblems, devices and inscriptions, be presented in the name of the Citizens of Philadelphia, to Captain Isaac Hull…as a testimony of the respect and admiration the Citizens entertain of [his] gallant conduct.” 7 The makers of this piece were Thomas Fletcher and Sidney Gardiner of Philadelphia. Fletcher and Gardiner produced many of the finest silver presentation pieces during and after the war for Captain Hull, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry (Figure 2), Commodore William Bainbridge, Captain Jacob Jones, Lieutenant Charles Morris, and Lieutenant James Biddle. 8 Other popular silversmiths were Samuel Kirk and Andrew Ellicott Warner of Baltimore, Jesse Churchill and Daniel Treadwell of Boston, and Charles A. Burnett of Georgetown. All received orders, from near and far, to produce objects recognizing military heroes. The production of American silver objects and trophies had advanced in sophistication and beauty, rivaling their European counterparts. The increase in functional presentation awards being produced truly set the United States apart. Vessels such as soup tureens, wine coolers, and serving dishes, were made in elaborate services and presented to deserving recipients. The American Beacon and Commercial Diary of Norfolk, Virginia, editorialized, “this is the true way to reward public men, either as meritorious Soldiers, Statesmen, or Citizens — A dinner passes away, and is no more thought of; but a splended (sic) present like [a dinner service], is a monument ever present to the receiver, and descends to his posterity, exciting future generations to heroic deeds in the service of their country.” 9 Stephen Decatur, Jr., (Figure 3) was another celebrated naval hero from several wars, including the first and second Barbary Wars (1801–05 and 1815–17) and the War of 1812. Patrolling 500 miles south of the Azores on October 25, 1812, with Captain Decatur in command, lookouts on the aging frigate United States spotted the relatively new HMS Macedonia on the horizon. The morning battle began with an exchange of broadsides with little damage to either ship, but the second broadside from United States brought down Macedonia’s mizzen top mast and other rigging compromising her ability to maneuver. Decatur’s cannon then proceeded to rake the doomed ship until the hulk surrendered around noon. American sailors repaired the British ship and sailed the prize triumphantly into New York Harbor on December 4th. Ironically, when both ships were in Norfolk, Virginia, several years before the war Macedonia’s captain had wagered Decatur a beaver hat that if the two ships should ever meet the British ship would be the victor. 10 Instead, it was Commodore Decatur who was honored at several grand ceremonies and regaled with many pieces of silver, one of which was presented by the City of Philadelphia in 1818. Members of the Philadelphia commission wrote to Commodore Decatur: Dear Sir,—A number of your townsmen, most of whom have known you from your youth, and the hearts of all whom have followed you in your career of peril, honor, and usefulness, with alternate anxiety and exultation, have appointed the undersigned a committee to present you with a service plate, in testimony of their high sense of your brilliant service to our country, and of the glory which your deeds have reflected on your name. 11 Silversmiths Thomas Whartenby and Peter Bumm of Philadelphia earned the Decatur commission and produced a pair of silver wine coolers, two large salvers, and a set of twelve goblets (Figure 4). 12 On the obverse side of the urn-shaped wine cooler is engraved, “By Citizens Of Philadelphia To Their Townsman Commodore Decatur Esteemed For His Virtue Honored For His Valour[.]” The wine cooler’s body has intricate repoussé work with two barrel handles on either side. It rests on a square base with four winged ram-head legs. The interior has