A George III Silver Covered Hot Water Urn by John King

1791

A George III covered hot water urn (English, 1791) by the London silversmith John King (English, active 1775-1800). The whole is topped by a finial in the form of a winged stirrup, the crest of the Johnston family of Newport and Jamaica. The front of the urn is engraved with a cartouche surrounded by a floral garland, ermine mantling, and tassels below scrollwork. Inscribed in script at center is "From her / Father / to / Anne T. Johnston / 1838." The rim and cover of the urn are lightly engraved with reeded bands. The opening from which the spout formerly emanated is now plugged. The urn stands on a square base supported by four bracket feet. The rear edge is stamped with four silver hallmarks, a crowned leopard, a king mark, a lion passant, and the letter "q" date mark. Next to this is the John King maker’s mark of the letters "IK" in a chamfered rectangle.

Anne T. Johnson was the daughter of Robert Johnson and Catharine Cole Taylor. The Johnson family relocated from Jamaica to Newport, RI after the abolition of slavery on the island. Upon inheriting a large plantation from his brother Robert Johnson returned to Jamaica in1838, he sailed back to Newport and arranged for his family to return with him. However Johnson became ill on the return voyage and died shortly after. Robert Johnston is the subject of a chapter in George Champlin Mason’s “Reminiscences of Newport.”

English, London

silver

15 1/2" x 5 3/4" x 5 3/4"

Gift of Mrs. Louise Johnston Mills, 1982.

PSNC.1743a-b