Paul Revere Sterling Silver Communion Dishes
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A legendary maker and elegant form distinguish this pair of communion dishes by Paul Revere
Key Features
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- A wonderful and very rare pair of sterling silver communion dishes crafted by Paul Revere
- These plates were purchased directly from Revere by the First Church of Beverly in Massachusetts
- These plates were featured in exhibits and are cataloged in several texts
- Marked "REVERE", circa 1801
- 13 5/8" diameter
Item Details
- Diameter:
13 5/8 Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
America
These exquisite dishes demonstrate the scope of Revere's talent as a master silversmith. Though seemingly simple in form, their classic design serves as a symbol of their "higher" purpose in religious worship. Revere was one of the few silversmiths that could complete a work from raw ingot to finished item, including the delicate engraving seen on both of the present examples.
Each plate is inscribed "The property of the first Church of Beverly / Purchased by the Pastor, Deac'n Benj'n Cleaves and / Deac'n Robert Roundy, 1801."
Marked "REVERE", circa 1801
13 5/8" diameter
These dishes were exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in American Church Silver of the 17th and 18th Centuries, 1911, Catalog No. 892, 893. They are also featured in the E. Alfred Jones book entitled The Old Silver of American Churches, 1898, pages 17-18.
About the Maker
Paul Revere...The American PatriotBorn in 1734 to a Huguenot silversmith, Paul Revere's patriotism and his contribution to the American decorative arts is of inestimable value. He was immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere which tells of how he heroically rode through the countryside warning of the approaching British troops. This legendary event along with his extraordinary work as a silversmith has left a lasting legacy for Paul Revere.
In addition to his participation in Boston's Revolutionary movement, Revere's accomplishments during his lifetime were numerous. He practiced dentistry, operated a hardware store for a time, gained popularity as a political caricaturist, designed and printed the Continental currency, and was a talented engraver. In fact, Revere was among the very few American silversmiths who had the talent to actually complete a piece of silver from start to finish, including the engraving.
In 1768, Revere crafted the most celebrated work of American silver, the "Sons of Liberty Bowl," now housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. After serving his country during the American Revolution, Revere resumed his role at the forefront of American silver producing elegant canns, pitchers, bowls, sauceboats, teapots and creamers, most in the neo-classical style. Today, his work is counted among the most important of the American decorative arts.
