Objects

Venison warming platter

Made by James Dixon and Son

Sheffield, England

Purchased from Baldwin Gardiner & Co.

New York City, New York

1833

The venison platter, 30 inches long, was purchased by George Clarke (1768-1835), from Baldwin Gardiner & Co., 149 Broadway, New York City, on November 24, 1833 for $35.00. The japanned tin cover cost an additional $15.00. A second platter. 24 inches long, was purchased for $25.00, and tin cover for $10.00. The large platter is marked “Dixon & Son/ 81,” and the smaller “Dixon & Son/ 61.” Both platters have a hollow center that was filled with hot water through a hatch in the rim that kept the food warm.

Waiter or Tray

Made by an unidentified maker, probably in New York City or Philadelphia

Purchased from Baldwin Gardiner & Co.

New York City, New York

1832-1833

On October 31, 1833, George Clarke (1768-1835) purchased three silver waiters or trays weighing 236 oz, 164 oz, and 75.16 oz, from Baldwin Gardiner & Co., 149 Broadway, New York City. Baldwin Gardiner (1791-1868) opened a retail store at 149 Broadway, New York City, in 1827 where he sold fashionable, often imported furnishings.  He commissioned silver for his store from several New York City silversmiths as well as his brother’s firm Fletcher and Gardiner in Philadelphia. He required that his own name and occasionally his pseudo-hallmarks be stamped  on silver made by different silversmiths.  This example is the largest of Clarke’s three waiters and they cost $531.00.

Sugar Bowl

Made by Robert Shepherd (1781-1852) and William Boyd (1774-1840)

Albany, New York

1829

This sugar bowl and matching creamer were purchased by George Clarke (1768-1835), from Shepherd and Boyd on March 2, 1829. The cost of engraving both pieces was $1.50.