Antique Details

18th Century Colonial Philadelphia Fancy Creamer Hallmarked (TS) for Silversmith Thomas Shields.Has the period monogram of  S.M. on the side it doesn`t show will in the photo but is perfectly clear

 Born: 1743

Marriage: Lydia Morris on 28 Oct 1767 in Philadelphia PA

Died: 17 Dec 1819

Any questions please ask

Apprenticed in 1760 to John Bailey in Philadelphia PA

• Advertised in the  Pennsylvania Gazette  (Philadelphia PA), 14 Jul 1765, "Opened Shop in Front Street, the Third Door above the Drawbridge . . . a neat assortme nt of Gold, Silver and Jewelry Ware . . . will be greatly obliged to all Gentlemen and Ladies, that will please to favour him with their Custom; may depend on having their Work done in the best and neatest Manner, at the lowest Rates, and with the greatest Despatch . . ."

• He worked from 1765 to 1791 as a silversmith in Philadelphia PA with a workshop at the third door above the Draw Bridge in Front Street in 1765 and later at the 7th house above the Draw Bridge. Listed in city directory: "At the sign of the Golden Cup and Crown" in 1771 and at 126 South Front Street, 1785-1791.
• Thomas Shields was working in Philadelphia from 1765 to 1794. He advertised in newspapers from 1765 to 1776 and appeared in city directories from 1785 to 1794. Shields is included in  List of Philadelphia Silversmiths and Allied Artificers from 1682-1850  by Maurice Brix (1920). Shield's  Daybook  is in the Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera at the Winterthur Library. An example of his work is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Acc. nos. 40.57.1-4). 
• The information above came from several sources.Some of the dates conflict but only buy a year,maybe two.I wanted to include all information I could find.Examples of his work can be found invarious locations as well as some auction prices realized.Unfortunatly I could not find this perticular form.Oddly there are early blown glass renditions made by gaffers replicating other silver and pewter forms popular at that time.This form would be perticularly difficult to copydue to the delicate feet and ornate disign.interesting!