Exhibitions: Selections from the Museum's Silver Collection

June 4, 1937: On Friday, June 4th, the Brooklyn Museum will place on exhibition selections from the Museum collection of silver, to remain on view through the summer.

Among the most notable pieces shown are: a XVIIth Century Dutch tankard, very large, supported on three globes or “pegs,” a beautiful example of the massive Dutch work copied by the Colonists in New Amsterdam; a XVIIth Century mug by Maher Koenrart Ten Eyck (1678-1753), one of the most famous silversmiths of the colony; a porringer by Maher Bartholomew Schaats (1670-1758), a plain cylindrical bowl with square cut initials on the bottom.

English work of the XVIIIth Century imported to New York is represented by several pieces. Among them is a cruet stand by Paul Lamerie, an outstanding English silversmith of the early part of the XVIIIth Century whose work was characterized by refinement and good taste and was imitated by many lesser artists. The stand consists of a tray with three legs of snail shells and a scalloped border showing Chinoiserie influence. There is a candlestick and snuffer with fine beading by John Schofield who was active in London during the period 1777—1793, and two pieces by David Willaume of London active during the period 1710-1751. These are an inkstand tray with an engraved coat of arms and a heavy cylindrical snuff-box with beading and the coat of arms of the Duke Of Sussex. Other XVIIIth Century English items are tankards, creamers, ladles, flat silver and tea services by lesser craftsmen. Sheffield plate is represented by a serving knife and candlestick.

Several notable American silversmiths of the XVIIIth Century are represented: Henrious Boehm (1697-1755), Jacob Boebrn (1654..1728), Paul Revere (1735-1818), Simeon Soumaine, Cary Dunn, Adrian Baucker, and John Vernon. By the Boebins, father and son, are several beakers and three handsome tankards with beautifully worked handles and hinged covers. By Paul Revere is a plain meat skewer with monogram and a mug with Latin inscription. By Soumaine a massive tankard set with an old Austrian coin in the cover. It was given to the first white child born in New Netherlands, but not until the time of her marriage, legend says. It has descended in the Ten Eyck family from that time to the present day. There are also teapots and a hot water urn by Soumaine. Dunn is represented by a tankard and tablespoon; Baucker by a tankard and silver ladle with ebony handle; Vernon by three teapots with exquisite engraved decoration and an urn—shaped sugar bowl. By other smiths are flat silver, snuff boxes, platters, etc.

English XIXth Century silver is represented notably by a meat platter the work of Paul Storr (active 1795-1822). This is a tray with a gadronned edge. Storr was the most famous English silversmith working in the elegant classic style of the Empire Period. There are also numerous examples of flat silver showing the evolution toward the more elaborate forms that characterized Georgian and Victorian silver, elaborate chased tea services, bowls, platters, etc.

Hall marks of Queen Anne, George I, II, III and IV, William IV, and Victoria are represented in the collection.

Brooklyn Museum Archives. Records of the Department of Public Information. Press releases, 1937 - 1939. 04-06_1937, 117-8. View Original 1 . View Original 2