A. Jacobi & Co Antique Sterling Silver Repoussé Nautical Ewer, Baltimore, MD, c. 1890

A remarkable example of repoussé silver from Baltimore, this pitcher features many rare motifs. A wonderful handle is cast with bunches of grapes and leaves. The neck, with a wavy rim, displays various flowers and foliage repoussé against a stippled background. Under the spout, an extraordinary scalloped shell cascades downward.

On the main body, repousséd grapevines and bunches of grapes emanate from the base of the handle, an apropos design for an ewer. Flanking the cartouche is a young merman holding a trident against a sea creature on the other side. The floral and foliage design is further used on the top of the domed pedestal base and a bulbous section between the base and body.

Engraved in the cartouche is a coat of arms with a boar's head crest and the motto 'ANIMO NON ASTUTIA' (By Courage, Not Craft) for Gordon. 

Provenance: By descent in the family of Douglas Hamilton and Anne Eliza Pleasants Gordon of Baltimore, MD. This was likely a wedding present to their daughter, Anne Campbell Gordon, who married John Quitman Lovell in 1891.

This rare pitcher is marked underneath 'A. JACOBI & CO/ STERLING/ BALTIMORE.' It measures 14.5 inches tall, weighs 45.85 troy ounces, and is in excellent antique condition.