Punch ladle

Status

Not on view

Label Text

During the Washingtons' final years of retirement, the arrival of unexpected guests in need of refreshment and hospitality was a frequent occurrence at Mount Vernon. When the Polish visitor Julian Niemcewicz arrived at Mount Vernon in 1798, Martha Washington "appeared after a few minutes, welcomed us most graciously and had punch served." She may have chosen this ladle engraved with the Washington crest by the Alexandria silversmith Adam Lynn, Jr. to serve the stimulating mixture of spirits, citrus juice, sugar, and spices.

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Datec. 1797-1799

Maker Adam Lynn (American, 1775 - 1836)

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueFused silverplate on copper, ebony

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 13 1/8 in. x 4 1/4 in. x 1 11/16 in. (33.35 cm x 10.8 cm x 4.29 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Richard B. Tucker in memory of Maria Washington Tucker, 1964

Object numberW-2450

DescriptionFused silverplate on copper punch ladle with ebony handle; raised, oval bowl with flaring lip on one side; tapering tubular handle socket attached to the back of the bowl at a forty-five degree angle; downturned ebony handle inserted into the handle socket and inscribed with three bands of multiple lines each near the lower end, arch, and upper tip; bowl engraved on the front with the crest of a winged griffin rising from a coronet; center punch mark on the underside of the bowl; bowl stamped on the underside with the maker's mark ".LYNN" in a rectangle.
Published ReferencesCarol B. Cadou, The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon (New York: Hudson Hills Press, 2006),

Adele Moyer, "Descendants of First President's Brother Treasure Heirlooms," Pittsburgh Press, February 22, 1939.

MarkingsMaker's mark stamped on underside of bowl at center: ".LYNN" in a rectangle. Center punch mark on underside of bowl at center. Engraved on front wall of bowl: the crest of a winged griffin rising from a ducal coronet.

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