Beaker
ca. 1776–96
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: H. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm); 3 oz. 9 dwt. (107.7 g) Lip: Diam. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm) Base: Diam. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
Classification
Beaker
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater, 1933
Accession Number
33.120.108
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver beaker, crafted by New York silversmith Cary around 1776–96, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of early American decorative arts. Standing just over 3 inches tall with a weight of about 3.5 ounces, its simple cylindrical form—flaring slightly at the lip and resting on a molded base—s the practical yet sophisticated designs favored in post-Revolutionary America. Dunn, active in Manhattan during this formative period, produced hollowware for affluent households and taverns, blending British influences with emerging American tastes. Silver beakers like this one served as ...