Object Search Record
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Metadata
Catalog Number |
1976.1.4952.21.1 |
Object Name |
Saucer, Gravy or Sauce Boat |
Date |
1800s late |
Title/Pattern |
Marjorie |
Artist/Author/Creator |
Mintons |
Description |
One of two gravy or sauce boats; meant to be placed on a saucer. Only one saucer still exists. The saucer is part of a china set that includes about 240 individual pieces. The set was designed for the Van Wickle family for use on board their yacht Marjorie, (named for Augustus and Bessie Van Wickle’s daughter Marjorie.) The china has a cream colored background with a thin gilded band near the outer rim. Each piece includes a painted emblem that includes the name of the yacht Marjorie and two crossed pennant flags – one of the Marjorie and the other of the New York Yacht Club of which Augustus Van Wickle was a member. Unfortunately, (and perhaps predictably), there are many missing pieces to this set, which possibly attests to the challenge of using delicate china on the high seas. The china was made in England by Minton but it was distributed by R. Briggs & Co., Boston. The makers mark reflects both companies. The Blithewold Archives include the cash book from the yacht, which shows $1,000 paid for china and stemware on January 14, 1900, which would be $28,570.00 in today’s equivalent value. The associated stemware is engraved with similar symbols. See 1976.1.4953. Background In 1894, while visiting friends in Rhode Island, Augustus Van Wickle purchased a 72-foot steam (and sailing) yacht from the Herreshoff boat-building company in Bristol. He and wife Bessie then began to search for a suitable property on which to build a water-front summer home where they could moor the new yacht. The Blithewold estate was a perfect choice for safe mooring of the yacht which they named 'Marjorie' after their first daughter. Several years later, Augustus commissioned a second yacht "Marjorie" from Herreshoff. This boat was delivered in January 1900, two years after Augustus death. |
Maker's Information |
On the recessed underside, stamped in burgundy-color ink, the mark depicts a Crown sitting atop a Globe with "MINTONS" across the center of the globe. Underneath is a ceremonial ribbon with "R.BRIGGS &Co.BOSTON written inside. Under this is a rectangle with the words "MADE IN ENGLAND". This makers mark was used between 1873 and 1912. A code, handwritten in red ink reads, "49472 / S". This maker's mark was used between 1873 and 1912. All these square platters also have Maker's impressions stamped into the porcelain. |
Materials |
Porcelain/Paint/Glaze/Ink |
Condition |
Fair |
Associated with |
Marjorie Randolph Van Wickle Lyon Bessie Pardee Van Wickle McKee |
Search Terms |
Gravyboat Sauceboat Servingware Saucer Dinnerware Dining China Boating Marjorie II Mintons |
Catalog Sub-category |
Food Service T&E |