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Samuel Vernon

Tankard

Maker

Samuel Vernon (American, 1683-1737)

Title

Tankard

Year

ca. 1720

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silver

Geography

Place Made: Newport; Place Made: Rhode Island

Dimensions

22.2 x 24.8 x 15.2 cm (8 3/4 x 9 3/4 x 6 inches) (maximum)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

This unusually large tankard bears lengthy inscriptions indicating its significance as an heirloom of the Ellery family of Newport beginning in the eighteenth century and continuing through the twentieth century:

“This tankard / was bequeathed a.d. 1743 / by Benjamin Ellery of Newport, r.i. / to his son Wm. Ellery, the father of William Ellery, / one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence / and the grandfather of Wm. Ellery / the father of Elizabeth D. Sedgwick / William Ellery Sedgwick, Sept. 6th, 1862 / Robert Sedgwick, April 16th, 1873 / Henry Renwick Sedgewick, February 13th, 1922.”

It bears the Ellery coat of arms on the lid and the Sedgwick coat of arms on the opposite side. Later owners added a spout to the front, requiring the flat lid to be bent upward.

This tankard was made probably about / 1730 by Samuel Vernon in Newport, / Rhode Island, one of the most distinguished silversmiths of that period / For arms see Papworth, edit. 1874, p. 342 / Ellery: par chev. arg. and az. a bordure / engrailed or. (Eldres or Eleris) / Sedgwick: p. 650. or on cross gu five / bells arg. (Sedgwick, Dent, co. York) / .

Marks: SV

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Bequest of Mr. Henry Renwick Sedgwick

Object Number

46.557

Type

Publications

Exhibition History

Trading Earth
Ceramics, Commodities, and Commerce
Apr 09, 2022 – Aug 03, 2025

Label copy

In Europe and the US, large silver tankards were often used and given at celebratory events, such as marriages, or to recognize an achievement. Made by Newport silversmith Samuel Vernon, this tankard’s many lengthy inscriptions indicate its significance as an heirloom of the Ellery family of Newport beginning in the 18th century and continuing through the 20th century.

Making It In America
Oct 11, 2013 – Feb 09, 2014

Label copy

As a material from which coins are minted and beautiful works of art fashioned, silver possesses a dual identify in signifying success. Status, wealth, education, and elegance were readily conveyed in personal adornments and the silver amassed on the family sideboard, and because sterling was literally worth its weight, it could easily be converted to cash in hard times.

This tankard’s multiple and lengthy inscriptions indicate its significance, beginning in the 18th century and continuing through the 20th century, as an heirloom of the Ellery family of Newport. The maker, Samuel Vernon, was Newport’s first silversmith. Two of his cousins were also prominent silversmiths: John Coddington of Newport and Edward Winslow of Boston.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Samuel Vernon (American, 1683-1737)
Tankard, ca. 1720
Silver
22.2 x 24.8 x 15.2 cm (8 3/4 x 9 3/4 x 6 inches) (maximum)
Bequest of Mr. Henry Renwick Sedgwick 46.557

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