John McMullin Antique Coin Silver Coffee Set, Philadelphia, PA, 1805

This magnificent coffee set is incredibly rare and in remarkable condition. It is by a famous maker and a stunning example of Philadelphia federal silver.

This wonderful service consists of a very large coffee pot, a tea pot, a creamer and a waste bowl which you could use as a large sugar bowl.

Beautiful curves and wonderful proportions create the oval, urn-form bodies which are hand-raised. One sees hammering underneath the pedestal feet and to the interiors of the pieces.

The domed, hinged covers of the pots are surmounted with urn-form finials. The bold handles are hand-carved hardwood with old dark stain to mimic ebony.

Each of the pieces is engraved with a lovely 'AD' monogram. Aside from their lovely form, decorative reeding is used around the openings of the pieces and around the stepped, pedestal bases. Small leaf ornaments are applied to the tops of the spouts on the pots and the handles are carved with waterleaf thumb pieces.

Underneath the two pots and the creamer are the following inscriptions:

Ann Donaldson Reynolds

Married July 29, 1805.

Sarah D. Reynolds Williams

M. May 5, 1831

Agnes Williams Pemberton

M. Oct 10, 1867

Sarah W. Pemberton Shaw

M. May 12, 1895

This is a fascinating coffee/ tea set with a wonderful documented lineage. The 'AD' monogram on the side is for Ann Donaldson (1772-1859), daughter of David Donaldson, Jr. and Sarah Sloan Donaldson of Wilmington, Delaware. She married William Reynolds (1769-1827) in 1805. William Reynolds practiced medicine at Stanton. They had three children. His daughter Sarah married the Honorable Thomas Williams who was a member of Congress from Pennsylvania during Lincoln's administration. Their daughter Agnes married Henry Pemberton. Their daughter Sarah married Quincy Adams Shaw of Boston. (1) The set has since been passed down through the family.

This exceptional set is marked on the side of the feet 'I. McMullin within a rectangular punch. The coffee pot measures 14.75 inches across the handle and spout by 12 inches high and weighs an impressive 35.75 troy ounces. The combined weight of all four pieces is 79.05 troy ounces (including wooden handles). It is in very good/ excellent antique condition with slight wear to the wooden handles.

Endnote:

1. Publication of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, volume 6, (Harvard College Library, March, 1915), pp 199-200.