A Neoclassical Sterling Silver Covered Sauce Tureen Presented by Elizabeth Willing Powel (1743-1830) to Edward Shippen Burd (1779-1848), Philadelphia

William Holmes, London, 1783

of urn-form, with ram's head handles and beaded rims, the body cast and chased with swagged and draped laurel garlands, oval and round cartouches with putti and eagle, the lid with pineapple-form finial and the lid rim engraved, "An evidence of Gratitude to Edward Shippen Burd, for his efficient Legal services, and uniform/ kind attention to his relation and affectionate friend, Elizabeth Powel, 1823." The lid and base also bear the engraved initials, "EP", marked to interior base edge.

Height 7 1/2 x width 10 1/4 x depth 7 1/2 inches, Weight: 26.74 oz. t.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

By descent in the Burd family to the present owner.

Elizabeth Willing Powel was the daughter of Ann Shippen (1710-1790) and Philadelphia merchant and mayor Charles Willing (1710-1754). Privately tutored in a wide range of subjects unusual for girls at the time, Elizabeth married Samuel Powel (1738-1793), one of Philadelphia's wealthiest, and best-traveled citizens in 1769. Powel served as Philadelphia mayor, 1775-1776, and 1789-1790.

During the early days of the Revolution, Elizabeth and Samuel Powel established their impressive South 3rd Street home as the city's unrivaled center of elite entertainment. Their lavish affairs served the finest food and wine in a magnificent setting to a compelling guest list of intellectuals and politicians, in the French salon mode. Enthusiastic advocates of the American cause, the Powel's frequent guests included Benjamin Franklin, George and Martha Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis to Lafayette. Elizabeth was a well-informed, opinionated and respected participant in discussions of political and social issues. She became a trusted confident of both George and Martha Washington. Elizabeth famously wrote George Washington, March 11-13, 1797, a well-reasoned appeal to convince him to run for a second term as president, after he had confided to her his doubts. Samuel Powel died in the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793. The Powel House is now an historic house museum operated by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks.

Edward Shippen Burd, a wealthy and prominent Philadelphia attorney was also Elizabeth Powel's nephew and trusted legal advisor. After her husband's death, Elizabeth became actively involved in managing the family business ventures with Burd's assistance. They did not always agree but remained devoted to one another.

The papers of The Powel Family and Edward Shippen Burd are found in the collection of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

This sauce tureen was part of a probable set of four, an identical pair sold at Sotheby's, New York, October 21, 2010, lot 166, and an identical single tureen was sold at Sotheby's, New York, January 23, 2023, lot 930 (possibly from the pair sold in 2010).