Toy Caudle Cup Maker: Unknown

ca. 1680–90

American Decorative Arts

On view, 1st floor, American Decorative Arts before 1900

A fashion for elaborate dollhouses originated in late seventeenth-century Holland and spread to England and the American colonies. These were not amusements for children but for wealthy women who outfitted them with sumptuous furnishings executed in miniature. Some colonial goldsmiths specialized in "toys and jewels," which they imported from London or made locally. This caudle cup is from an assembled set of silver toys owned by Bethiah Shrimpton (1681–1713) of Boston.

Medium

Silver

Dimensions

7/8 × 2 1/8 in. (2.2 × 5.4 cm)

Credit Line

Mabel Brady Garvan Collection

Accession Number

1935.228

Geography

Probably made in England

Culture

British

Period

17th century

Classification

Toys and Games

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Originally owned by Bethiah Shrimpton (1681-1713), Boston, MA; her niece, Elizabeth (Hunt) Wendell (1717-1779); her daughter, Elizabeth (Wendell) Smith (1742-1779); her daughter, Elizabeth (Smith) Stevens (1795-1860); her daughter, Mary Eliza (Stevens) Pride; Mrs. Charles W. Lord; gift in 1935 to Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.
Bibliography
  • Barbara M. Ward and Gerald W. R. Ward, eds., Silver in American Life: Selections from the Mabel Brady Garvan and Other Collections at Yale University, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1979), 108, no. 98, ill
  • Kathryn C. Buhler and Graham Hood, American Silver in the Yale University Art Gallery, 2 vols. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1970), vol. 1, pp. 314–17, no. 544
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Marks

Marks obliterated

Inscriptions

"BS" engraved on bottom; "Bethiah Shrimpton b. 1681 d 1713 / (da. of Epaph, & Reba. S Boston, Mass) [to her sister / Reba. (S) Hunt b. 1675 d. 1772. to her da./ Eliz. (H.) Wendell b. 1717 d. 1799 " " " / Eliz. (W.) Smith b. 1742 d. 1799 " " g-d / Eliz. (S) Stevens b. 1795 d. 1860 " " da / Mary Eliza (S) Pride" on bottom; "Bot. by Bessie & Jno. Anderson Lord (ch. of Chas. W. Anne H. (A) Ld.) and presd. to the g-f./ Juo. F. Anderson, 22d. July 1880, his 57h. b'th.d. (J.F.A.g.g.s., of E. (W.) Rev. P.T. Smith of Windham, / s. of Rev. T.S. 1st. min. of. Old Falmouth Me." engraved on sides

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