

Figure 3. — Mark of Samuel Mixott and monogram 

 of Elias Hasket Derby on silver tankard. Bequest of 

 Artliur Micliaels. In Division of Cultural History. 

 (Ace. 162866, cat. 383545; Smitfisonian photos 

 44828-D, 44828-F.) 



Similar in design to these 18th-century pieces is a 

 standing cup ' or chalice with the inscription: 



Presented by the Sisters of the New South Church for its 

 communion service — ^January i, 1815. 



This cup, with a concave body and a baluster stem 

 with a scjuare foot, is marked "Moulton" and is in 

 the style of Ebcnczer Moulton who worked in Boston 

 between 1768 and 1824. 



19th-century Pieces 



The collections of the United States .\ational 

 Museum that cover the political, cultural, military, 

 and technological history of America in the 19tii 

 century are probably without rival, and the collection 

 of presentation silver is no exception. The recognition 

 of military prowess by the presentation of silver objects 

 was especially popular during this century. 



FOR SERVICE IN WAR OF 1812 



Some handsome pieces of silver of the federal style 

 were given for service in the War of 1812. His- 

 torically the most important of these is a mammoth 

 punch set (fig. 4) presented to Colonel George 

 Armistead by the citizens of Baltimore in recognition 

 of his services in the defense of Fort McHenry against 

 the British attack in 1814. The service includes an 

 oval silver tray with a handle on each end, the whole 

 of which is supported on six winged-claw feet. The 

 tray is 29 inches long and 22 inches wide. 



The ball-shaped punch bowl, 12)2 inches in diam- 

 eter, is supported by four eagles mounted on a round 

 base. There is a loop handle of silver rope on each 

 side. The bowl is an exact copy in size and design of 

 the mortar botubs the British hurled at the fort. On 

 one side of the bowl is the following inscription : 



Presented by a number of the citizens of Baltimore to Lieu- 

 tenant Colonel George Armistead for his gallant and suc- 

 cessful defense of Fort McHenry during the bombardment 

 by a large British Force, on the 12th and 13th September 

 1 8 1 4 when upwards of 1 500 shells were thrown ; 400 of which 

 fell within the area of the Fort and some of them of the 

 diameter of this vase. 



(Note the discrepancy in the dates of the inscription. 

 The Battle of Fort McHenry was fought on the 13th 

 and 14th of September 1814.) 



On the other side is engraved a view of Fort McHenry 



3 Bequest of Arthur Michaels (ace. 162866, cat. 383549), 

 Division of Cultural History, USNM. 



PAPER 4 7 : PRESENTATION PIECES 



85 



