John Chandler Moore Antique Coin Silver Large Child's Cup, New York City, c. 1848-49

This exquisite cup or mug is an early and great example of American silver. The decoration is some of the finest chasing of the period. The large, bold leaves and flowers (morning glories) are repousséd and then chased for details.

A representation of a twisting vine creates the lovely handle.

There is a reserve on the front with an original engraved name 'Florence'.

John Chandler Moore was one of New York's leading silversmiths who sold to many of the city's leading jewelers and retailers, including Tiffany, Young and Ellis. In 1851, Charles Tiffany requested that Moore supply Tiffany's exclusively. Ultimately, this led to Tiffany becoming the most successful of American silver firms (see Dorothy Rainwater's Encyclopedia of American Silversmiths).

This wonderful and rare cup is marked underneath 'J.C.M./ N.Y.' along with the retailer 'Allcock & Allen'. We can specifically date this cup due to the retailer being listed in NYC directories from 1848-1849 at 314 Broadway.1 It measures 4.5 inches across the handle by just over 4 inches high, weighs 7.20 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.

Endnotes

1. Paul von Khrum, Silversmiths of New York City, 1684-1850, (New York City: The Anthoensen Press, 1978), p. 4.