An American Silver Five-piece Tea and Coffee Set, Simon Chaudron, Philadelphia, circa 1805-09

comprising: Teapot, Coffee Pot, covered Sugar Bowl, Creamer and Waste Bowl, each with die-rolled bands of palmettes, running leaves and beading, the elongated spouts chased with acanthus leaves at lower terminal and ending in leopard's heads, the stepped lids with acorn finials, marked on bases CHAUDRON in down-curved punch, coffee pot also marked STER.AMERI.MAN in curved punch

foot of creamer reinforced and rim possibly reshaped, masks on sugar bowl were probably topped by loop handles, tiny bit of lead solder above coffee pot handle- not noticeable and not through, teapot with small dent in foot, good condition, clear marks
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The mark of Simon Chaudron (1758-18) appears on some of the most sophisticated examples of Neoclassicism in American silver.  Born in the Champagne region of France, he trained as a watchmaker in Switzerland, joined a Masonic lodge in Paris, emigrated to Santo Domingo by 1784 and was in Philadelphia by 1794.  By 1799 he is listed as a watchmaker and jeweler at 12 South Third Street, and the next year he advertised watches, gold chains and jewelry, "French Silver Plate", mourning rings, seals, and 400 cases Claret.  From 1809 until 1812 Chaudron was in partnership with Anthony Rasch, a German-trained silversmith.  He was still practicing in Philadelphia in 1817, when he testified about assay for Baltimore, but by 1819 he, his wife, and some of their 13 children had moved to the French exile community Demopolis, Alabama.

The clean vase forms and restrained Empire decoration of the offered service suggests that it belongs to Chaudron's production before his partnership with Rasch.  By the time of the Chaudron and Rasch tea set at Winterthur (Quimby #325) this formula has been supplanted by a bulbous body below a decorated girdle, a model continued by Chaudron alone in the tea set of 1812-15 at the Newark Museum (see Philadelphia: Three Centuries of American Art, no. 186, p. 227).

According to a family tradition, this tea set was owned by John Jordan Crittenden (1786-1863) as early as 1810.  An accomplished attorney, Crittenden's long and illustrious career in national politics included appointments in the Kentucky State house of representatives and the US Senate.  He was named US district attorney in 1827, US Attorney General in 1841, and served as Governor of Kentucky from 1848 to 1850.