Baroque Silver Cream Pitcher & Sugar Tureen (late 18th/early 19th century)

These two Baroque Silver objects, a cream pitcher and sugar tureen respectively, were made by Joel Sayre (1778-1818).

Both of these use a repousse pattern of roses and ferns along the base. Repousse is a metalworking technique in which a malleable metal is ornamented or shaped by hammering from the reverse side, thus creating a design in low relief. A pattern of diagonal lines in three separate portions of the pitcher and tureen are also a noted feature.

Joel Sayre and his brother, John Sayre (1771 – 1852), were Southampton residents who learned the Silversmith trade and later moved to New York City. While residing in a city, the brothers had their own separate businesses from one another.