M. W. Galt & Bro. Antique Coin Silver Creamer of Political Interest, Washington, DC, 1847-54

This is a rare and lovely piece of silver made in Washington, D.C. by the famous firm of Matthew and William Galt. The pear-shaped body has vertical chased lines giving it a paneled effect. Scroll and leaf designs are used to decorate the various areas and are hand-chased for details. A lovely cast and applied handle incorporates this foliate feature into a thumb piece. The hinged, dome cover is also scored with horizontal lines and is mounted with a twist finial.

The lovely base is also executed with a foliage theme with a pierced cutout design.

The cartouches are engraved 'JW & I Maury' on one side and 'Washington' on the other in a lovely script.

John Walker Maury married Isabel Foyes in 1831. At 37 years old, John Maury become president of the National Bank of the Metropolis. At age 43 in 1852, he became the 14th Mayor of Washington for a 2-year term. During that time he and William Wilson Corcoran (Corcoran Gallery of Art) convinced Congress to appropriate funds for what is now St. Elizabeth's Hospital. His other accomplishments were overseeing the construction of Washington's public waterworks and funding the creation of the Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Square which stands across the street from the White House. (See Wikipedia.)

This charming antique creamer is marked underneath M.W. GALT & BRO within a rectangular punch. It measures 6.5 inches wide across the handle and spout by 7 inches high, weighs 12.60 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition with very light wear and some scale to the surface.