Silver beaker or handless cup; flared form with double lip.
Engraved "J C M" in script lettering on the side; engraved "C. MAYER" in block letters on the underside of the base. The base also has maker's mark in the center, "W H" in a small rectangle with a scrolled serif on the bottom of the left stroke of the "H".
According to John J. Snyder, Jr, "C. Mayer" is Christopher Bartholomew Mayer (c. 1756 - Aug. 11,1815 and son of George Ludwig Mayer), a wealthy Lancaster hardware merchant who lived in the elegant stone house built by his father-in-law, George Burkhard (c. 1721-1783), a prominent Lancaster joiner, in 1764, at the NW corner of Orange and Duke Sts. Christopher B. Mayer married Jan. 2, 1783, to Susannah Burkhard(t) (1761-1848), later producing 8 children. Mayer was prominent in politics, and twice represented Lancaster in the state Senate."
Snyder continues: "The "JCM" of the monogram may be identified, tentatively, as Juliana (Julia) Catherine Mayer (1806-1857), later the wife of George May Keim of Reading." They married in 1827. Keim was a US Congressman, representing the 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1838-1843) He also served as Mayor of Reading in 1852. They are buried in the Charles Evans Cemetery in Reading. Juliana (Julia) was apparently a daughter of Christopher & Susannah Mayer.
At time of acquisition,this beaker was believed to be the only piece of Wm. Haverstick hollow ware then known. With its history of early ownership by a very prominent Lancaster family, it adds a valuable historical dimension.
Provenance
Purchase from dealer Harry Hartman. Previous history unknown.
Chippendale high chest, mahogany, ornately carved, Phila-inspired Rococo style. Top section has scrolled broken arch pediment with central cartouche (attrib. to Phila carver, Martin Jugiez) and fully relief-carved vine tympanum, leading down to large central drawer w/ large carved shell & surrounding vines. Two small drawers flank center drawer, under which are 4 full-length, graduated drawers with original Chinoiserie brasses. Fluted corner columns on upper case; vine & leaf-carved corner columns on lower case.
Lower chest has top full-length drawer over 3 small drawers that mirror the 3 drawers at top. Again, the center drawer is fully carved. Below drawers is a fully vine-carved skirt w/ shaped bottom. Has 4 carved fully articulated cabriole legs w/ acanthus knees and ball and claw feet and original brass casters.
Original owner Matthias Slough was a colonel in the Rev. War, a superintendent of the Philadelphia to Lancaster Turnpike, a county coroner and treasurer, and tavernkeeper of the White Swan. Buried in St. James Episcopal Cemetery.
Made by unknown Lancaster Borough workshop.
Provenance
Original owner believed to be Mathias Slough, based on a 1934 letter from Ethel Torrington Davis to Mr.(James?) McCormick. Ms. Davis states her mother received story from her mother Mrs. Beatty. Mathias Slough married Mary Gibson and had three daughters. The oral tradition is that each daughter was given a high chest. These chests then descended in the family, one of which descended through the mother of Ethel T. Davis to James McCormick (in payment of an outstanding debt). This info researched by John J. Snyder.
From a July 1975 letter, donor George J. Finney recalls the highboy in the home of James McCormick of Hbg, his grandfather. After his death in 1917, it stayed with the house & his son Donald McCormick until his death in 1945. It was then put up for sale at auction of household good but failed to sell due to price not meeting expectations of executors. Donor learned of this, and in 1946 he offered to buy it for $2,500 and the estate accepted. Donor has owned highboy since 1946. Upon the death of the donor, it was bequeathed from his estate.
Multiple repairs (e.g. pieced out around drawers); refinished; some losses, most noticeable in some cartouche elements and leaves of rosettes. Finials missing the ball at mid section. Cosmetic conservation done by Cory Berrett April 1992.
Repairs made 12-2-09 by Winterthur conservator in consultation with curator Wendy Cooper (see conservation report in file). Major changes: broken off rosette leaf tips replaced; missing finial balls and top plates of plinths replaced.
Object ID
G.92.06
Notes
John Snyder states that mahogany is unusual for Lancaster Co. high-style pieces. Secondary woods are poplar and pine.
He notes six or fewer high chests of this Lancaster County Chippendale design are known to exist, and that of these six, "this piece is unquestionably the finest example." (Based on artistic evaluation, condition and provenance. Of these other chests, 2 are in private collections, one is in the State Department collection at Yale University, and the others' whereabouts are currently unknown.
Snyder says this high chest is closely related structurally to the famous Chippendale desk and bookcase acquired by the Winterthur Museum from the Withers family, living near Strasburg, Lancaster Co.
OBITUARY
May 14, 2009 FRANCES DAVIS HASSINGER EVERHART, of Lower Allen Township, Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg. Frances was born March 1, 1916, in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of CARL W. AND ETHEL TORRINGTON DAVIS. She was a 1938 graduate of Vassar Co...
Matthias Slough (1733-1812) was the tavernkeeper of the White Swan. The high chest was made at an unknown Lancaster Boro workshop, except for the carved cartouche of Philadelphia.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, bequest of George J. Finney Estate
8-day clock works by George Hoff, Jr. (1788-1822) installed in a curly maple Federal style case signed by either J(acob) Stein/Stine or J(osiah) Shufflebottom (inside waist section). White painted dial signed with maker's name and "Lancaster". Moon wheel above. Scroll pediment has turned roundels and urn finials. Bonnet has applied carving under center finial, free-standing turned columns at front and back, arched side lights and reeded base moldings. Chamfered quarter columns on waist and base. Reeded moldings at top and bottom of waist. Door has shield inlay at lock escutcheon and ghosting from a now-removed metal escutcheon. French bracket feet.
"Hertzler" is etched onto top surface of bonnet top. Signed inside waist: appears to be either Josiah Shufflebottom or Jacob Stein/Stine.
Provenance
Donor states clock was part of the furnishings in the home of her grandparents John B. and Emma (Groff) Hertzler at 131 E. Orange St., Lancaster. Hertzler was a banker at The Lancaster Trust Company in early 20th c..
John J. Snyder states Stine was listed on tax lists 1817-19 and Shufflebottom worked c. 1811-1848. Both were cabinetmakers in Lancaster Borough.
Dial paint is crazed. Base has large cracks on both sides and lifting veneer and crack at front. Dents and other scarring on cove molding at top of base. Small cracks on left side of hood.
Works cleaned and repaired by Paul Warfel, 1980. Glazing in door replaced by curator Bruce Shoemaker, 1983, due to crack.
Object ID
G.77.25.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of Elizabeth H. Nichols in memory of John and Emma Groff Hertzler, Heritage Center Collection
Copper measure of sheet copper with conical body. Beneath applied handle is a keyed seam. Rolled copper base and lip. Applied strap handle, attached with 2 rivets at top, 1 rivet at bottom. Handle terminates with heart form at bottom and two lobes at top. Interior is tinned.
The name "(E)ICHHOLTZ" is stamped onto top of strap handle. "E" of Eichholtz is hidden where handle is attached at top. Interior is coated with tin.
Jacob Eichholtz worked as a coppersmith/tinsmith with his brother George on East King St. until c. 1815, when he began focusing on portrait painting. 1830 Tax Assessment lists him as a portrait painter.
Research by Pat C. Keller at Historical Society of PA in Jacob Eichholtz's daybook, indicates he made measures, not mugs. Notes in file indicate purchase was contingent on results of an effort to x-ray upper handle for evidence of initial unseen letters of stamped name. No indication this was ever done.
Provenance: Sellers Jackie & Vernon Gunnion purchased measure at Conestoga Auction circa March 1986. Jackie reports Don Fennimore of Winterthur knows only two other signed copper pieces -- by Apple and by Schlosser.
Photos: slides #23-5-1 to 9 and multiple B&W 8x10s
Small to significantly larger dents on sides and bottom Some scratches from general wear. Surface has been polished and lacquered. Some polish residue visible at both the rolled lip and rolled base.
First "H" and "T" of "ichholtz" are very worn. Corrosion and wear to interior tin surface.
Upper terminal of handle has split at left rivet (stable).
Object ID
G.86.03
Notes
See accompanying P86.3 file for research done by Heritage Center Director Pat Keller-Connor to determine authenticity of the touchmark. There was a possibility of the first initial being "J" for Jacob or "G" for George, a brother. On Feb. 17, 1802 Jacob advertised with his brother George as "tin-plate workers". Pat K-C intensively did research to settle the matter before finalizing the purchase of the measure
studied Vol. 1 & 2
See Henry Kauffman, American Copper and Brass, p. 119.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Watercolor on paper of "Old Court House Lancaster" gives a head-on view of a 2-story brick building with four chimneys and a clock/bell tower. A wagon with a team of four horses and a driver a re shown in front of the building. (Written by Scott Sagar.)
The lower right corner is creased and partially detached. What appears to be an early sketch of the top of the bell tower can be seen to the right of painted bell tower. There are glue stains from a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently mounted in hinged (on the left side) window matting and the area of the paper that shows through the window is slightly darker than the outer edges.
Object ID
P.77.31.15
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Watercolor on paper of "Plough Tavern. N.E. Cor. W. King & Charlotte. 1881." A 2-story gray stone building with multiple entryways, and green doors and shutters. A tilting lamppost is in front of the building. A sign for Charlotte Street can be seen at the corner of the building on the side facing to the viewer's left.
This building was apparently built in stages over many years, but the earliest elements were from 1745. It was demolished on April 1, 1924. (Written by Scott Sagar.)
There is some buckling along the top edge. Glue stains from a previous backing are visible on the corners of the reverse and have bled through slightly at the two upper corners.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.19
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing over a pencil sketch of "Ye Fountain Inn- S. Queen St./ FD 1758" dated Nov. 1881. On lower right: "Lancaster. Pa./ Nov. 1881." In upper right corner there's a drawing of a sign picturing a fountain with "Fountain Inn" above it. Hanging below the sign: "Geo. Hastings."
Another building to the viewer's left has been drawn in pencil but not inked.
The site is presently (2000) occupied by the Lincoln Hotel building.
The left corners are 90-degree angles and the right corners are rounded.
The edges of the paper are slightly browned and the upper right corner is torn off. Some brown markings are visible in the lower right area of the drawing, to the right of the signpost. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.18
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Pen and ink drawing of "Swan Hotel. /S. Queen & Vine Sts-./ Lancaster.-Pa.". Dated " Nov. 1881" in lower left corner with "Dr. P. Cassidy" written in lower right. In the upper left corner there's a small insert drawing labeled: "window Top-." A sign with a swan hangs in the upper right corner with "D.M.Moore" below it.
Watercolor on paper of the German Reformed Church: "GER.REF.CHURCH. BUILT. 1753. TAKEN.DOWN. 1852. LANC.PA:" Marked at base of drawing are streets: 'Orange St; on the left and "Christian St." on the right.
Watercolor drawing of "The Grape Tavern, N. Queen St. Lancaster" A 3-story building with 2 entryways and green-shuttered windows on the second and third floors. The tavern sign, a bunch of grapes, hangs out over the sidewalk from above the second story windows.
The edges are slightly darker than the rest of the paper, possibly as a result of being in window matting. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
Hinged within a window mat..
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-06-22
Condition Notes
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.22
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Watercolor on paper drawing of "Lamb Tavern, West King St. Lancaster. Built 1747." A 3-story brick building on a stone foundation with a raised double entryway and basement entrance. The tavern sigh is posted on the sidewalk in front, showing a lamb with the word "LAMB' above and the name "J.S. KAUFFMAN" below. There is a date stone on the third floor that says "1747".
Beneath the drawing, lower right: "Co. Frazer's House."
The edges of the paper are slightly darker than the rest, possibly to result of window matting. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.24
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing of 2-story stone building the sign "ROTHARMEL" on side facing viewer. Written at the base of the drawing (in the street) on left: Nov. '81."; and to the right: "Dr. Abra. Breneman./ S.W. Cor. S. Queen & German./ Lancaster: Pa."
Watercolor painting of "Franklin College-Lanc- (Restored)/ Lime and Orange Sts." , a 2-story structure. A path leads to 3-steps at the entry, a center front door. There are three windows on both sides of the front door; and 8 windows on the front second story. A fence on the right behind separates the building from some trees. There's a tree to the left of the pink building.
Ink drawing: {"Graeff Hall"-Lanc.Pa- rear of Shobens Hotel - N. Queen St.} Written this in pencil: "Reitzels Hall-" / built by Reitzel about 1830-" On lower left, in ink: "July 3.'82." The structure fronts a cobble street with a pump next to a flat paved area along the building. the roof and right end of the building are cracked and in disrepair. 10 windows with 12 small panes run across the 2 story. On the street level there are two hinged-doors on the right, and narrower doors, one on with sign of a large sign decorated with posters, sale notices and one sign across the top that reads: FR RYNE. The visible side of the building (far left of drawing) show a set of hinged doors in the center with two windows above and to the left.
Watercolor aerial-angled view picturing the lower right corner of the bed. Green fabric curtains are tied to the slender fluted wooden column beneath the top decorative gray wooden edging. A square wood portion of the column supports the cross piece at the foot of the bed. A white covering on the bed has pink stripes along its edge and a green flounce matching the curtains above hangs between the mattress and the floor. Printed in lower left corner: "BEDSTEAD/ YEATES' HOUSE/1879."
Watercolor of "Mirror/ Yeates Mansion/ Lancaster/Pa:-" In lower right corner is a letter embellishment "m?n:" and beneath it, "-1879-" Oval-shaped mirror hanging on the wall is edged ornately with gold-colored curved leafy branches. On the top at the center is a gold lamppost/ torch.
There is a brown mark on the bottom edge, about 1.5 inches from the left corner. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners and sides of the reverse which have partially bled through to the fronts, especially at the lower left corner. (by Scott Sagar, 12/06/2000)
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.42
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on lined paper (lines are vertical) of 'The Colonial "Guard-House," Lancaster Pa./ So. side Walnut St. near N. Queen St." (These previous words, printed in ink are also written in pencil on right side of the guardhouse.) Written in ink on top left: "Sketched Feb. 27, 1882-/ from Verbal description of/ Mr. Zecher- 83 yrs.old-" Log structure with a door in the wall facing the viewer. To the right of one of the walls stands a man holding a rifle. The flag flying above the building contains wide vertical stripes on the right and a large X on a square on the upper left.
Part of the upper right corner is ripped away. A series of small brown spots appear at bottom center. The remains of a previous backing are on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.43
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on lined paper (lines are vertical) of "Front view of old R. Catholic Church." Written in ink top right: "Front View of the/ Old Catholic Church/ Lancaster Pa-./ Torn down- 1881-82."
Viewer sees, on the left, 3 steps of the front entrance to the church with a partially-seen steeple above the peaked roof. To the right is an attached building with a door and window on the ground level. There are two small window above. To the right of the ink drawing, written in pencil is: "Stone in walls" beneath an arched inset with an engraved cross above IHS and MDCCLXII beneath. (1762)
The reverse has pencil drawing of the Old Donegal Communions Flagon, Chalice and Platter (indicated as being pewter) with a detail of the hall mark.
Lined notebook paper, lines are vertical on this page.
Hinged within a 7.25" x 10.25" window mat.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-06-26
Condition Notes
The upper left, upper right and lower right corners have been partially ripped away, most significantly, the upper right. A marked crease runs diagonally across the paper, from the center left edge up to the upper right edge. Some small brown marks appear in the lower left area, and the edges are browned. (by Scott Sagar, 12-08-2000)
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.44
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Ink drawing on lined paper (lines are vertical).Scene entitled: "Graff's Landing-/ Conestoga Crk./ Nov. 5. 1881." Railroad tracks angle from left to right in the foreground. A 2-storied house behind the tracks faces a two-laned covered bridge with signs above: "Augustus Rhoads/ Watches & Clocks."
Lined notebook paper, lines are vertical on this page. Top and bottom corners on the right are rounded.
Hinged within a 7.25" x 10.25" window mat.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-06-26
Condition Notes
The paper is browned around the edges and small brown spots appear sporadically over the drawing. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse.
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.45
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Watercolor on paper of sign of the Pitt Tavern. It shows a rectangular sign with a 3/4 portrait of William Pitt the Elder seated, wearing a long white wig, a long pink coat and pants with high white stockings. Above his image is: "1808/ William Pitt Earl of Chatham." This painting is the "Sign of the "Pitt Tavern" above Duke St. Lanc./ found in the Garret of the Old Tavern Oct. 1881."
Some small brown spots on the front, in the lower right corner. The edges are slightly browned. There are the remains of a previous backing on the corners of the reverse. (Scott Sagar, 12-08-2000)
The piece is currently float-mounted in hinged window matting.
Object ID
P.77.31.46
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Role
Artist
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
