Lot 112
  • 112

The Isaac Jones Beaker: An American silver beaker, John Edwards, Boston, circa 1695

Estimate
10,000 - 20,000 USD
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Description

  • maker's mark IE in quatrefoil on side (Kane mark A)
  • Silver
  • height 3 5/8 in.
  • 9.2cm
straight cylindrical with flared rim, engraved on bottom I..I and in 19th century script on side, The Gift of Isaac Jones to the Church in Dorchester 1699, the underside with contemporary block initials I.I

Provenance

Bequest of Isaac Jones in 1699 to
The First Parish in Dorchester, Dorchester, MA

Exhibited

Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1911. American Church Silver of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, with a few pieces of Domestic Plate, no. 390, p. 45, and plate 11
Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, loan, 1938-2011

Literature

William Blake Trask, Early Matters Relating to the Town and First Church of Dorchester, 1886, p. 10.
John Henry Buck, Old Plate, its Maker's & Marks, 1903, p. 237.
E. Alfred Jones, The Old Silver of American Churches, 1913, p. 144.
Patricia E. Kane, Colonial Silversmiths and Jewelers, 1998, p411.

Condition

crease in base rim and wobbles slightly, otherwise good, clear mark and small scale
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.

Catalogue Note

Isaac Jones was born in England in 1527 to Thomas Jones (1594-1667) and his wife Ellen (1599-1678/79).  The Jones family immigrated to the American colonies aboard the Abigail, which set sail from Plymouth on 1 August 1635.  Isaac Jones was a mariner, who was made a freeman in 1654.  He married firstly Hannah Heath (1629-1658), daughter of William Heath and Mary Perry sometime before her 1658 death.  As Hannah died at a young age, he married secondly Mary Howard (1629-1691), widow of Samuel Bass, on 7 April 1659 in Dorchester.  Jones likely married for a third time on 5 May 1694 to Ann (b. 1654), who is mentioned in his will.  At the time of Jones' 2 February 1701 death, his estate was valued at £301 13/1d.  The funds for this beaker we laid out in his will dated 6 December 1699, proved on 20 March 1700, in which he designated  40 shillings "to the Deacons of the Church of Dorchester for the use of the Church in a piece of Silver plate to serve at the Lord's Supper for ever."