Woodward & Grosjean for Jones, Ball & Poor Coin Silver Cup, Boston, MA, c. 1850

This small 2-handled cup could be used for drinking or for creating a small floral arrangement to adorn a table. In any case, it is a wonderful example of mid-19th-century Boston silver. Aside from a cartouche engraved with an 'FCG' monogram, the body exhibits stunning swirling, foliate engraving. Applied handles are adorned with leaf thumb-pieces. Fine beading is used under the rim and around the decorated stepped base.

Jones, Ball & Poor was Boston's leading jeweler during this period, the partnership ultimately becoming Shreve, Crump and Low in 1869. Silver bearing the Jones, Ball and Poor mark and the actual maker's marks on items sold by the firm is uncommon. Boston items of the mid-19th century are rarely found with makers' marks on them. It was traditional with both silver and furniture for only the retailer to mark the item.

After the retirement of Obadiah Rich about 1848, Woodward & Grosjean became Boston's leading maker of holloware before they moved to New York in 1852.  (Where they became Grosjean & Woodward - one of Tiffany & Co's leading early suppliers.)

This rare coin cup is marked underneath, W&G/ JONES, BALL & POOR/ PURE COIN/ Boston.' It measures just shy of 5.5 inches high to the top of the handle 4.75 inches wide. It weighs 7.95 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition with some scratching to the interior.