Taylor & Lawrie Antique Coin Silver Cup, Philadelphia, PA, 1851

This is a great cup and a stunning example of early American engraving. The classic scroll handle has a lovely leaf thumbpiece, and the body is raised with a circular, stepped base. The two scenes depict houses amongst trees on one side and castles and a church on the other. Wreaths of flora frame these detailed scenes, and the reserve on the front is engraved:

Mrs. Jane De Peyster
Christmas
1851

We have yet to identify who Mrs. Jane De Pester was, but seeing this cup would have been a prominent Christmas gift back in 1851; she most likely was a member of the famous De Pester family of NYC and Philadelphia. 

This wonderful cup is marked by the Philadelphia retailer 'Bailey & Kitchen' and with the Taylor and Lawrie pseudo-hallmarks. It measures just over 4 inches tall by 4.5 inches across the handle, weighs 7.65 troy ounces, and is in very good antique condition with a tiny ding to the front of the body.