Salver

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Salver

Artist William Simpkins (American, 1704-1780)

Dateabout 1760

DimensionsDiam: 12 5/8 in. (32 cm)

MediumSilver

ClassificationMetalwork

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. George P. MacNichol, Jr.

Object number

1987.224

Not on View

Label TextThe coat-of-arms on this salver (serving tray) combines the arms of the Lechmere and Phipps families, indicating the marriage of Richard Lechmere (1727–1813) and Mary Phipps (1725–1815), the granddaughter of Sir William Phipps, British governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony (1692–94). The Lechmere family name is still seen throughout Boston, such as Lechmere Square and Lechmere T Station. However, Richard Lechmere—who had made his wealth from the distillation of rum, one of the linchpins in the slave trade—was a British Loyalist who derided the American rebels of the Revolutionary War as “wicked and deluded.” The family left for England during the war and their property was later confiscated by the new American government.