Lot 457
  • 457

American silver pitcher, William Gale Jr., New York, 1866

Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 USD
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Description

  • marked on base
  • silver, glass, enamel, metal
  • height 11 1/4 in.
  • 28.5 cm
the body chased with Greek Key midband and applied with a classical male and female portrait medallion on each side and a mask of Mercury on the front, inside rim also applied with three helmeted Roman warrior portrait medallions. Together with a silver inkwell etched with dense scrolling foliage by William B. Kerr & Co., Newark, NJ, the cover engraved with the Colt crest and mounted with a watch inside, the dial signed A.W.W.Co / Waltham, Mass, with a glass liner, and a silver pen by Gorham Mfg. Co., Providence, RI. 3 pieces.

Provenance

Samuel Pomeroy Colt (1852-1921), Bristol, RI,
by descent to present owner

Condition

pitcher with plugged hole in base (probably converted to lamp at one point) and with some shallow dents and dings throughout; the inkwell cover doesn't close flush and with some minor dings to rim, the watch with small chip to enamel dial; pen with some minor dings; all in overall good condition
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

Samuel Pomeroy Colt, born to Christopher Colt and Theodora DeWolf Colt of Bristol, Rhode Island, and nephew of arms maker Samuel Colt, was an American politician and industrialist. From 1876 to 1879, Colt served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he worked to regulate child labor and advance women's property rights. He was subsequently appointed Attorney General of Rhode Island, serving from 1882 to 1886. In 1886, Colt founded the financial organization, Industrial Trust Company, which became Industrial National Bank, then Fleet Bank, which ultimately merged into Bank of America. In 1888, he formed the United States Rubber Company, later called Uniroyal and the largest rubber company in the nation. Linden Place, his home in Bristol, still exists as a historic house museum.