Goblet

Artist/Maker
Horton & Rikeman __Marked by
Place Made
Savannah Georgia United States of America
Date Made
1850-1856
Medium
silver
Dimensions
HOA: 6 1/2″
Accession Number
5977.2
Description
DESCRIPTION: Silver goblet decorated with a repousse ornament of leaves, flowers, and berries with a central cartouche. The body sits atop an attached pedestal and round molded base with repousse leaves and flowers. The rim and base of the cup features applied banding and small beading.

INSCRIPTION: Engraved on side of body in a cartouche: “S. C. Perry” in script lettering.

MARK: Not marked; attibuted to the partnership of Horton & Rikeman based the engraving “S. C. Perry” that matches an accompanying pitcher (MESDA Acc. 5977.1).

MAKER: The partnership of Humphrey P. Horton and Cornelius H. Rikeman operated for only six years, from 1850 until 1856. Both men came to Georgia from the North; Horton from Connecticut and Rikeman from New York City. By 1857 they were advertising independent of one another. See Ashley Callahan and Dale L. Couch, “From Sideboard to Pulpit: Silver in Georgia,” exhibition catalog, November 2005–March 2006, Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia, Athens, GA and George Cutten, The Silversmiths of Georgia (Savannah, GA: Pigeonhole Press, 1958).

FORM: Although silver goblets had been made in America since the seventeenth century, the form is uncommon. Most were intended for use in churches (communion chalices); however, in the nineteenth century many were made for domestic purposes. Domestic goblets were often ornamented with either the owner’s initials, surnames, or more lengthy inscriptions. Both communion chalices and domestic goblets were sometimes elaborately decorated with cast, die-stamped, engraved, or repousse ornament. Some goblets are lined with a gold wash although the wash is often worn away.

Credit Line
James H. Willcox Jr. Silver Purchase Fund