Antique American Coin Silver Coffee Pot

• New York, circa 1850 by William Forbes
• Dimensions: 9 inches high, 8 inched from handle to spout

Rococo Revival Silver, first introduced in the 1830’s, reached the height of fashion in the 1850’s. Silver in this style feature forms with naturalistic decoration of flowers, leaves, vines, grape clusters, shells, and scrolls.

An exquisite Antique American Coin Silver Coffee Pot having octagonal paneled sides made by William Forbes. The name Forbes is synonymous with American Silver as William Forbes was one of the founders of the Forbes Family of Silversmiths in New York City around 1785. His sons became silversmiths also and thus, the Forbes family continued to design and make all types of coin silver products until the late 1800’s.

Coin Silver is different from Sterling Silver which most people are familiar with. Sterling Silver is standardized at 92.5% silver (marked .925 or Sterling). Coin Silver is generally 90% silver and was used for U.S. currency and flatware, often found in older American pieces. In other words, a piece can not contain less then 90 percent pure silver. Sterling Silver is slightly purer while coin silver reflects older American craftsmanship from melted coins.

Embellished with scroll and shell decoration, this coffee pot is derived from the Rococo revival. These motifs were frequently hammered into the silver to produce decoration in high relief. This exceptional Antique American Coin Silver Coffee Pot is marked underneath with the ‘WF’ initials along with ‘BALL, TOMPKINS & BLACK/SUCCESSORS TO/MARQUAND & CO/NEW YORK and is in pristine condition.

As mentioned earlier, this coffee pot is made by William Forbes. However, it was retailed by Ball, Tompkins and Black, who was a prominent luxury retailer around 1839 to 1851. They succeeded Marquand and Co. and continued as a major luxury dealer until becoming Black, Starr and Frost in 1974 and is still in business today.