Cann

Paul Revere Jr.

1783 · Silver · The American Wing

Cann, a term used interchangeably with mug during the eighteenth century, refers to a pear- or tulip-shaped drinking vessel with scroll handle and circular foot. This exceptionally large pair was made for Elias Hasket Derby (1739–1799) and his wife Elizabeth, whose interlaced script monogram, EHED, is engraved on the front of each. Derby was a wealthy shipping merchant in Salem, Massachusetts. In April of 1783, Revere recorded in his ledger that he was making a pair of "quart canns for E. H. Darby, Esq." A set of silver beakers by Revere (58.3.1-.4), as well as several pieces of furniture and Chinese export porcelain in the Museum's collection, also belonged to Derby.

Artist

Paul Revere Jr.

Date

1783

Medium

Silver

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Sansbury-Mills Fund, 1958