Object Image

The sum of eight pounds bequeathed by Shearjashub Bourn[e] to the church in Sandwich, Massachusetts, likely was used to purchase these two beakers. Bourne was a prominent and affluent citizen whose wealth derived from a lucrative trade he carried on with Native Americans. At his death, Bourne's estate was appraised at £943.1s.4d. Although a domestic form, beakers often were used as communion cups. These beakers appear to have served as models for four other beakers made for the church in the nineteenth century by Lewis Cary.

Credit: The Sylmaris Collection, Gift of George Coe Graves, 1928...

c. 1719
Silver
10.3cm
28.131.1
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection