A handsome early American pewter porringer, attributed to Samuel Hamlin Jr., (active 1801-1856) of Providence, R.I., by Eldred’s Auctions, specialists in New England antiques, where I purchased it years ago. I’ve also found comparables online myself, with the identical pierced design (note the slight asymmetry in the piercings to either side of the stamped intitals!), so I’m pretty confident in the attribution, though it’s unusual to find a piece without his stamp. (Update: I’ve just received the Winterthur “History Of American Pewter” by Charles F. Montgomery, with more exact comparables; see photos). With this particular flower handle and construction, this would certainly be an early example of his work, perhaps from the first two decades of that period, up to 1820. The handle appears to be from a mold his father, of the same name, also used.

The pierced flower handle (or ‘ear’) is stamped in its center with the initials SF, traditionally those of an infant for whom this was a gift. (I myself have a silver one that was gifted to me as an infant c. 1968 in similar, if more refined, style… so it was a long standing tradition in old Anglo-American families, apparently.

There also seems to be some engraved identification on the underside of the handle, perhaps a later owner’s and easily missed. I only noticed it myself while giving the piece a light clean.

I believe the photos here should provide all you need but I’ll be pleased to supply more if you wish, and to answer any inquiries.

Condition is very good, these things were solidly made; a couple of unobtrusive tiny dints. A pretty even soft patina.

This lovely old American porringer measures 5” in diameter; the flat, pierced handle is 2 1/2” long, and it stands just under 2” high.

I am a professional antiques dealer and stand behind my goods with an absolute guarantee should they not prove what I’ve described; if you’re not pleased for any reason a return will be accepted for up to two weeks after receipt of your item. I will also pay return shipping, if the former is demonstrably true.

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