An American Silver Caster, Jurian (Jeuriaen) Blanck, New York, circa 1700

on a flared circular foot chased with spiral gadroons, rising to a cylindrical body appied with molded midband, the removable cover geometrically pierced and applied with bayonet fasteners fashioned as stylized birds, the top chased with double rows of confoming spiral gadroons, baluster finial, the base engraved with contemporary block initials CEE, marked on base IB quatrefoil in shield 

one small blob of solder in gadroon base band, body seam opening slightly, top pushed down a bit, one bayonet fixed probably re-soldered, otherwise good condition, good skin
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.

This caster was made en suite with a sugar caster and a pepper or dry mustard caster currently in the collection of the Museum of the City of New York, and illustrated by Deborah Dependahl Waters in Elegant Plate, Three Centuries of Precious Metals In New York City, No. 12, pgs 113-14.  All three casters have identical pierced and gadrooned decoration and are engraved CEE on their respective bases.  According to Dr. Waters both of the Museum's casters have been previously published as coming from the family of Margaret Beekman, the daughter of Colonel Henry and Janet Livingston Beekman, who in 1742 married married Judge Robert R. Livingston.  Although this provenance cannot be directly linked with Margaret Beekman, it is possible that the initials belong to a member of the Van Cortlandt family, as the Van Cortlandt family were known patrons of Jurian Blanck and Gertrude Van Cortlandt was Margaret Beekman's step mother.