posted 11-07-2011 12:55 PM            

A coffee pot just sold on the 'west coast site' listed as '1730 American Coin Silver repousse witchs Coffee Pot'. My question is ,as I know practically nothing about witchcraft,could this have been made in the 1730's or would any silversmith have dared to make such a thing in that time period? The construction and repousse work to me is not that good so to me it could be a much later fanciful piece. Soo much to know and so little time.

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Rare c.1730 American Coin Silver Repousse Coffeepot. Wiccan/Pagan Decoration

Offered for auction is this very rare and unusual circa 1730 unsigned American tapered cylinder coin silver coffee pot standing 8.25in. tall to top of finial. Pot displays old construction techniques consistent with the early 18th century, also crafted from thick coin silver being quite heavy for its size at 709 grams. Beautiful early Rocco style repousse band with foliate scrolls amongst flowers, two cartouches and one sprig of gourds over one cluster of elderberries near left side of handle, having a total of thirteen flowers; 11 in repousse and two engraved; one on both sides of spout base. Style and form very similar to English coffeepots of this period. Handle looks to be fruit wood skillfully carved with leaves down the spine leading to a inverted cross. Coffeepot is unmarked but has tested positive for solid silver construction of approximately .900 in purity.

Condition is very good for its age having moderate surface wear, some shallow dents, nicks and has a small silver repair at top handle pin [photo] but handle is tight with no play. Also I believe the handle pins and lid hinge pin are replacements as they are brass, most likely replaced when the silver repair was done. I believe the handle is original. Not sure if finial has been repaired or if it was originally secured by pouring molten silver into the inside lid cavity, instead of being secured by a wing nut but makes for a very durable finial that is permanent. I feel this is likely original construction as it fits in with how the base was constructed as the foot ring and base are secured by molten silver solder poured in a channel created by the foot rim securing both to the pot, also having no internal strainer at spout base, all typical of very early pots. No monograms or removals. 2.75in. diameter across top rim and 4.5in. diam. across base being 8in. from back of handle to tip of spout.

As most American silver of the early 18th century was made in Mass., I feel this coffeepot displays a subtle dissent by the silversmith regarding the Salem witch trials which most of society found abhorrent being the turning point of Boston becoming more of a metropolitan society. If it were not for the other decorative elements, I would guess this was a ecclesiastical piece of silver with the inverted cross being the Cross of St. Peter, but in conjunction with the thirteen flowers, gourds, and elderberry cluster [I feel these are elderberrys, not grapes due to the dimples on each berry and leaves surrounding cluster], may be more of a pagan or wiccan use as all these are elemental in their rituals and beliefs, including grapes.

Though most people don't agree with these kinds of beliefs[myself included] there is no denying that American silver from the early 18thC. is very rare with most in museums, but having wiccan symbolism decoration is extremely rare, possibly being the only example of its kind no matter what country of origin. Silver collectors; don't let the history spook you as as far as I can tell this pot is not haunted as nothing bad or unexplained things have not occurred since I have owned it [no heavy oppressive feelings, sick feelings etc.] , being what you make it to be, being a beautiful extremely rare piece of silver to me and nothing more than the type of merchandise.

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posted 11-07-2011 09:01 PM            

Actually a little Halloween humor might serve to distract from obvious defects: damage/repairs that should make an otherwise nice looking pot unsaleable, or else the original bottom could have had marks that would have told a different story, and so it could have been removed. "Witch" do you think?