American Coin Silver Fiddle Thread Pattern Pastry Server, c. 1850

The rectangular blade with chamfered corners fits nicely on this very rare fiddle thread pattern server. We haven't had one with a serving section like this before.  On the blade, it is inscribed in a cursive script, "Mary Vinton to Alexander H. Vinton."

Alexander Hamilton Vinton (1807-81) was a prominent Episcopal minister and theologian. Mary Vinton was his mother. From Providence (she was née Atwell), he became the minister at St. Paul's in Boston in 1842 and later Emanuel Church.

Rev. Alexander H. Vinton, D.D.
From Gleason's Pictorial, Saturday, November 12, 1853, p. 316.

The marks on this server are worn, but appear to be that of Brown & Kirkby of 8 Church St., New Haven, CT.  They were the retailers of this piece. It is difficult to know who made it; "Pure Coin" was a mark used by many makers in both New England and New York at the time. 

Provenance:
Collection of Dale E. Bennett

This rare server measures just under 9.5 inches long and 1.65 inches wide at the blade.  It is marked "BR...BY." and "Pu..Coin", weighs 2.55 troy ounces and is in very good condition with some wear to the inscription and marks.