Tea Tray
1799
Medium
silver
Dimensions
20 x 30 1/2 in., 174.998 Troy Ounces (50.8 x 77.5 cm, 5443 Grams)
Classification
Tray
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Sansbury-Mills Fund and Frank P. Stetz Gift, 2009
Accession Number
2009.420.1
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This magnificent silver tea tray by John McMullin represents both the zenith of Philadelphia Federal-period silversmithing and a poignant historical document. Created in 1799 and marked "John McMullin (script) / FECIT (shaded block) / Philad 1799" on the underside, the tray exemplifies neoclassical elegance with its bright-cut paterae and delicate floral festoons. However, the tray's true significance lies in its presentation context and engraved dedication. Philadelphia suffered devastating yel...