The Maxwell Vase

Gallery 108, American Art, first floor (Nyheim Gallery)

Main Building

The Maxwell Vase

1829

Thomas Fletcher (American, 1787–1866) Retailed by Baldwin Gardiner (American, 1791–1869, active Philadelphia 1814-1817, New York 1827-1846)

This vase was presented to New York City District Attorney Hugh Maxwell (1787-1873) by merchants grateful for his prosecution of corrupt directors of the New York Stock Exchange. Charged with this commission, retailer Baldwin Gardiner secretly contacted Philadelphia silversmith Thomas Fletcher: "None of the silversmiths here know that I have the order, as several of them would drop the hammer for me if they knew that I sent to Philad[elphia]." Fletcher responded with one of the largest and most spectacular statements of the Classical Revival style in American silver.

Gallery 108, American Art, first floor (Nyheim Gallery)

Object Details

Titles:

The Maxwell Vase

Date:

1829

Artists:

Thomas Fletcher (American, 1787–1866) Retailed by Baldwin Gardiner (American, 1791–1869, active Philadelphia 1814-1817, New York 1827-1846)

Medium:

Silver

Dimensions:

24 3/16 x 20 1/2 x 17 3/4 x 16 1/8 inches (61.4 x 52.1 x 45.1 x 41 cm)

Classification:

Containers

Credit Line:

Purchased with funds from the bequest of Lynford Lardner Starr, 2010

Accession Number:

2010-5-1a,b

Geography:

Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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Gallery 108, American Art, first floor (Nyheim Gallery)

Main Building

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