A Rare American Silver Spout Cup, John Dixwell, Boston, circa 1710

with bulbous lower body, and straight cylindrical neck  engraved with double bands near upper rim, S-curve spout and scroll strap handle, raised on molded foot rim, the base engraved with block initials A over I*R, marked twice on neck on either side of handle and on base (probably Kane mark A)

The initials are likely those of Jonathan Atwater (1656-1726) and his wife Ruth Peck (1661-1726), whom he married on 1 June, 1681.  The couple, who both died on 3 June 1726, resided in New Haven, CT, where they had eleven children. 

a few dents to side but none through, lower handle terminal pushed in, seam of spout opening, otherwise 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 same initials can be found on a 1705 caudle cup by Dixwell, illustrated in E. Alfred Jones (1913), and a 1720 Dixwell porringer sold Sotheby's, New York, 6-8 November 1975, lot 608.  The present lot is one of three known surviving spout cups of this form made by Dixwell.  An identical cup, engraved with the initials C over NS, is in the collection at Winterthur (Quimby, American Silver at Winterthur, 1995, no. 41., p. 82).  A similar example at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts features a wider strap handle and additional incised bands circumscribing the neck (Puig, Banister, Ward, McFadden, English and American Silver in the Collection of The Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 1989, no. 182, p. 222).  None of the known Dixwell spout cups has an original cover.