Beaker

These two beakers are thought to have been part of a pewter Communion service that once belonged to the First Congregational Church in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Pewter was often used in churches that could not afford silver for Communion vessels. The Jaffrey church purchased the service when Amos Fortune died in 1801 and bequeathed $100 to be spent on a handsome gift for the church. Fortune had come to America from Africa as a fifteen-year-old slave in 1725 and bought his freedom in 1769. By the time of his death at age ninety-one, he was a respected citizen of Jaffrey

• Artist: Edward Danforth (Maker)
• Medium: Pewter
• Geographical Location: Middletown, Connecticut, USA
• Dates: 1788-1794
• Dimensions: 5 1/8 x 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 in. (13 x 9.2 x 9.2 cm)
• Markings: Partially impressed on inside bottom, figure-8 shaped stamp with beaded border containing lion rampant flanked by the letters "E" and "D"
• Collection: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: Brooklyn Museum, BMA, 5Q12-LUCE, Unit 19, Shelf K
• Accession Number: 45.10.118.1
• Image: 45.10.118.1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, Nov 30, 2003

Catalogue Description:
Highly polished pewter beaker; cylindrical form with banded foot rim, flares out at mouth, banded lip. Condition: Good; light scratching and a few dings, slightly misshapen around mouth.