Quart Mug
1780–88
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
H. 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Classification
Quart mug
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Joseph France, 1943
Accession Number
43.162.16
Art Historical Context
Nestled in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Wing, this elegant *Quart Mug* crafted by Joseph Danforth between 1780 and 1788 exemplifies early American pewter craftsmanship. Standing at a practical height of 6 inches (15.2 cm), the mug was designed to hold a full quart, making it a staple for colonial households during the Revolutionary War era and the young nation's formative years. Pewter, an alloy of tin and other metals, was prized for its affordability, durability, and lustrous finish—ideal for everyday tableware when silver was a luxury reserved for the elite. Danforth, a skilled America...