$99,500
Silver Salver, Myer Myers, (1723-1795), New York City, circular flat tray with applied molded edge consisting of cyma-recta cyma-reversa curves, with six shells and C scrolls, short cabriole legs with pad feet, marked "Myers" in script in a conforming surround, struck twice on the underside of tray, ht. 1 1/4, dia. 8 1/4 in., approx. 11 troy oz. Note: Born in 1723 in New York City, Myer Myers was the most prolific silversmith in New York during the last half of the eighteenth century. After completing the traditional seven-year apprenticeship with a master silversmith he registered as a Goldsmith 1746, making him the first native Jew within the British Empire to establish himself as a working silversmith since the incorporation of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in 1327. Through a beneficial business partnership and a marriage to the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Myers' business thrived. The clientele for his Rococo-style objects included New York's wealthy elite-top political, social and financial leaders. He also had several patrons who were fellow Jews and preferred less ornate works. Myers' business suffered interruption in the summer of 1776, when the American Revolution came to New York. General Washington made New York his headquarters; British troops bombarded the city. Myers and his family, along with other Jewish families moved to Norwalk, Connecticut, thinking that the enemy would never come to such a small, insignificant place. Unfortunately, they wer Read more…
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2005-11-06
