Presentation teapot

William Thomson, a Scottish immigrant, manufactured some of New York's most eccentric Empire-style silver. This teapot's anthropomorphic body, exaggerated eagle's-head spout, and talon feet are similar to forms and devices incorporated into Continental silver of the period. The bulbous body with cushion-shaped shoulder and cover is in the oblong style, as the shape was known during the early nineteenth century. Accenting the silhouette is an intricate foliate die-rolled shoulder band, a common border element produced by the hand-turned rolling or flatting mills used by many American silversmiths of the period. These elements are balanced with the eye-catching spout, flexed claw-and-ball feet, and vigorous foliate C-scroll handle, all hand-finished with feather and naturalistic details that enhance the teapot's animated stance. This object was presented to Captain Bowne of the Courier, an early Black Ball Line packet ship, after a return trip in 1819. The ships's passengers presented the captain with this teapot as a token of gratitude. Although their reason remains unclear, the inscription suggests that the captain comforted and protected them under exceptional circumstances, perhaps a storm.