SILVER. John W. Forbes Coin Silver Teapot.

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By Clarke Auction

Sep 29, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-09-29 10:00:00 2019-09-29 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Art, Silver/Jewelry, Antiques, Asian, and Midcentury https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/clarke/fine-art-silver-jewelry-antiques-asian-and-midcentury-4459
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• Lot Description
  John W. Forbes coin silver teapot with bird form spout, and replaced lid with acorn finial. Accompanied by the a copy of text stating, "Email I received from John D. Ward, SVP, Head of Dept. Silver, Vertu, Sotheby's, New York: Dear Fred - this is a very unusual piece. The double-bodied shape of the pot, the spout and wood handle, everything except the cover, strongly suggests a piece of the 1760s. It also seems to have firescale on the surface, which you do not expect to see after the very early 19th century. Given this, I would expect that this is probably a Colonial piece that lost its cover, and John W. Forbes merely replaced the cover with the present one - which is completely the wrong shape and proportionm and has c. 1820 detailing - and stamped the base with his stamp, possibly over an original maker's mark. If he had made it new in 1820, I would also expect a silver handle with insulators, which had become standard by then. From the letter, this was owned by Mark Bortman, one of the great collectors of American silver in the mid 20th century; his collection was split up and sold off in various directions. Given the replaced cover, though, I would estimate this only about $3000-4000 so below Sotheby's minimum.". Also accompanied by a small photograph from the Bortom Plastics Company dated June 6, 1947 stating, "Dear Annete & Joe: Aunt Llore Jane and I are pleased that you are happy with the tray. I am forwarding you to-day a coffee pot, which is the second part of our gift, and enclosed is the collation of this piece, which has been exhibited at the New York Museum. You will note that this piece was made by John W. Forbes, who worked in New York from 1808-1838. It is custom of collectors to leave the pieces in their original condition to check with the description of the peice when it has been catalogues, therefor, I have not repaired or touched anything on this piece since I acquired it. I would ask you to be very careful in cleaning the bottom of the coffee pot as you will notice there the museum number in red ink, covered with cellophane. This means that this piece is recorded in the Museum of the City of New York and should it ever by stolen it can be checked there and its description verified should it be recovered......Museum of the City of New York = L-2118.43?". Stamped twice to underside of base, "I.W.Forbes" with additional stamp of, "I.W.F" with 3 additional pictorial marks representing John Wesley Forbes, New York, active c. 1808-1838. Total approx. weight is 38.69 troy oz. From a Queens, NY estate. Dimensions: 15.5" high.

  Condition

  Good, with light surface scratches and minor dings/dents. Probably replaced lid with finial. Split to handle.
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