Collection Highlights
Punch bowl: Landing of Lafayette
Date:
1840-1850
Object Number:
1910.24
Medium:
Earthenware
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Sugar bowl with cover
Object Number:
1940.479ab
Date:
ca. 1863
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 6 in. ( 15.9 x 22.2 x 15.2 cm )
Silver Weight: 23 oz (troy) 9 dwt (729 g)
Marks:
engraved: on front medallion: "Presented to/ Alban C. Stimers Ch. Engr. U.S.N./ to commemorate important services/ rendered to his Country/ on board/ THE MONITOR./ before and during her memorable conflict/ with the MERRIMAC./ in Hampton Roads./ March 9th
Description:
Cast and wrought silver presentation sugar bowl; squat, globular body with an applied band of engraved anchors linked by a rope, around the center; two applied oval medallions with rope borders and cast eagles on oak tree branches applied to the tops; one medallion engraved, "Presented to/ Alban C. Stimers Ch. Engr. U.S.N./ to commemorate important services/ rendered to his Country/ on board/ THE MONITOR./ before and during her memorable conflict/ with the MERRIMAC./ in Hampton Roads./ March 9th 1862." in script and an engraved image of the "Merrimac" on the other; seated on a circular foot; two cast squared strap handles with applied, cast crowned head's of Neptune and laurel leaf joints; circular, domed lid with a rope border and surmounted by a cast finial comprised of a Watts type centrifugal governor (used for regulating the speeds of engines), a cannon and a bayonet; makers' marks stamped on the base.
Gallery Label:
On February 2, 1863, Alban C. Stimers (1827-1876), chief engineer of the ironclad warship USS Monitor, was given a five-piece tea and coffee service, including this small sugar bowl. The set was presented in the midst of the Civil War by John Ericsson (1803-1889), the illustrious Swedish-born designer of the ship, and a group of prominent New Yorkers. The set was custom-made for the occasion, as witnessed by ornament such as the sugar bowl's finial, a model of a Watts-type centrifugal governor (a device used to regulate engine speed), and its rope-framed medallion, anchor midband, and handles with Neptune masks.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Walter Durbrow
Provenance:
Presented to Alban Crocker Stimers (1827-1876), who married Julia Ann Derby (1835-1903); to their daughter Julia Stimers Durbrow (b. 1861), the donor.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
