Two Rare Federal Silver Teapots, John David (active 1785-1811) and Thomas Shields (1743-1819), Philadelphia, PA, Circa 1800

The teapot by John David with beaded rims, lid with pineapple-form finial, the body engraved with monogram, "E.V.L.B.," and the underside engraved with date "1798," marked twice to underside; the teapot by Thomas Shields with beaded rims, the upper edge engraved with floral and scroll motifs, the lid with finial, the body engraved with monogram, "JGD," marked four times to underside.

H: 5 1/2 in. W: 9 1/2 in. D: 4 1/4 in. (tallest), Total weight: 32.06 oz. t.

Provenance:

A Virginia collector.

John David teapot: H: 5 1/2 in. W: 9 1/2 in. D: 4 1/2 in.; the body generally with some dings and shallow dents commensurate with age and use, the lid with some bending along bottom edge and to pineapple fronds to top of finial, some bending to tip of spout and to bottom edge, the underside of rim with some silver solder evident, the bottom of spout with crack along lower edge seam, the interior of body with lapped repair over the same area to stabilize the crack, wood handle overall with rubbed surface, the two terminals with some age cracks present, wood handle slightly wobbly, the underside with some old scratches; Thomas Shields teapot: H: 5 1/4 in. W: 9 1/2 in. D: 4 1/2 in., the body and upper edge with some dings and shallow dents commensurate with age and use, moderate rubbing to surface including beading, the lid with some silver solder to underside, likely a repair to underside rim- the rim with some denting, evidence of silver solder to underside rim of body, a lapped area around base of spout which is likely a repair, a crack to tip of spout, wood handle in good shape

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email ataggart@freemansauction.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

To request further details about this lot, please email ataggart@freemansauction.com

Previews will take place at our 2400 Market St gallery. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Lynda Cain

VP, Head of Department, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

lyndacain@freemansauction.com 267.414.1237

Lynda Cain serves as a Vice President of Freeman's and is the Head of Department for American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts.
She specializes in American furniture and decorative arts, Native American art, American folk art, and Pennsylvania furniture and decorative arts.
Cain joined Freeman's in 2001 as the company's first American furniture and decorative arts specialist. She began her career in American Decorative Arts as assistant curator at the Detroit Historical Museum. In 1984 she became curator of costume at the Detroit Historical Museum. In 1986, she relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts and switched from museum work when she joined the American Furniture and Decorative Art Department at Skinner Inc., Bolton and Boston, Massachusetts. Before leaving New England in 1997, she had the great pleasure of directing the cataloguing project of the Folk Art Collection of Nine Fletcher and Bertram K. Little at Cogswell’s Grant, Essex, Massachusetts for the Society of the Preservation of New England Antiquities, now Historic New England. Ms. Cain joined the cast of the popular PBS series Antiques Roadshow in Season 19.
Growing up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she was greatly influenced by the rich collections of American paintings, furniture, and decorative arts held by Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum. She notes her good fortune of working in our two great “attic states:” Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Each Commonwealth has tremendous inventory of historic material, great institutions, and citizens who treasure their inherited and collected items. Cain appears on the television Antiques Roadshow as an appraiser of decorative and folk arts.

Andrew Taggart

Associate Vice President, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

We are open for pick-up Monday-Friday: 9am-4:30pm.

For questions about shipping or packing, please contact shipping@hindmanauctions.com or see our Shipping/Packing page.

American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

Two Rare Federal Silver Teapots, John David (active 1785-1811) and Thomas Shields (1743-1819), Philadelphia, PA, Circa 1800

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup