Beschreibung:

American colonial interest – A George II sterling silver teapot, London 1748 by John Swift (free. 10th June 1725) Of inverted baluster form upon a spreading domed foot, with a cast curved shell moulded spout opposite a wooden C scroll handle pinned to shell scroll junctions, the hinged domed lid surmounted by a cast artichoke finial. The body with embossed decoration of an asymmetrical rocaille C scroll cartouche adjoined by floral swags, the lid and surround with similar decoration including flat chased rocaille, additionally to the foot. Each cartouche engraved with a contemporaneous coat of arms. Fully marked underneath, the lid unmarked. Length – 22.7 cm / 8.75 inches Weight – 607 grams / 19.52 ozt The arms are for Philipse for Adolphus Philipse (1665–1749/50) of New York. The patriarch of the important Philipse family of New York was Frederick Philipse (born Frederick Flypsen; 1626– December 23, 1702) who was born in in Bolsward, Netherlands. A merchant, he arrived in America as early as 1653. In 1662, he married Margaret Hardenbrook de Vries (c.1637-c.1691), a wealthy and driven widow. Together, and variously in league with slavers, pirates, and other undesirables, the couple amassed a fortune. Beginning in 1672 Philipse and some partners started acquiring land in what was to become lower Westchester County, New York. When the British took over the Dutch colony in 1674, Philipse pledged his allegiance to the Crown and was rewarded with a title and manorship for his holdings, which ultimately grew to some 81 sq mi (210 km2). Serving later on the governor's executive council, he was subsequently banned from government office for conducting a slave trade into New York. Upon his death, Philipse was one of the greatest landholders in the Province of New York. He owned the vast stretch of land spanning from Spuyten Duyvil Creek in the Bronx (then in lower Westchester County), to the Croton River. He was regarded by some as the richest man in the colony. The inventory of Adolphus Philipse of Philipsburg Manor dated 12th February 1749 lists the following silverware: 2 silver tankards 1 Do mugs 6 new silver spoons 6 old ditto 1 silver teapot 6 silver forks 1 Do pepper box It is important to note that as well as silverware, and other objects such as a ‘6 flax spinning wheels, ‘1 old gun’ and ‘2 small earthen potts’ on one side, upon the other above livestock lists the names of twenty-three enslaved men, women, and children. (Courtesy People Not Property) Adolphus Philipse (1665–1749/50) The second son of Frederick and Margaret Philipse, Adolphus (or Adolph) Philipse was baptized on November 15, 1665. Actively involved in the family’s trading business and land interests, he headed them for nearly thirty years following his father’s death. As the executor of his father’s estate, he also inherited the northern portion of the Manor lands and responsibility for Frederick Philipse II until the younger Philipse reached 21 years of age. He increased the family’s landholding with the purchase of the 250-square-mile tract known as the Highland Patent, a swath of land north of the main estate which extended from the Hudson River eastward to the border of Connecticut. Adolph's business, political and social interests, like those of his parents, were centered in New York City. Like his father, he served on the Governor’s Council, often supporting the position of the merchant class over the landed gentry. During his tenure as head of the family trade enterprises, he continued to increase the family’s fortune, sending ships far and wide. He worked alone and with a variety of partners including his brothers-in-law, Jacobus van Cortlandt and Philip French, and Jewish merchant traders Moses Levy, Samuel Levy and Jacob Franks. Historic records show Philipse vessels at the time moving between Barbados, Jamaica, the French and Dutch colonies of Martinique, Curacao, and Surinam, as well as multiple points in Europe. Adolph Philipse dealt predominantly