Silversmith John Inch lived in Annapolis and at one time had his home and shop near the city dock. The punch bowl he made in 1743 was a prize to Dr. George Steuart. Steuart’s horse Dungannon won the Annapolis race in 1743 against a horse owned by Charles Carroll (1702-1782), father of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the signer. Punch bowls were popular as racing trophies in the 18th century. Historians attribute an Annapolis alderman with setting aside land in 1719 for a horse race track along West Street in Annapolis. This bowl is the oldest surviving silver object made in the state of Maryland, the oldest horse racing trophy in North America, and the second oldest trophy of any kind in the United States. Around the rim is engraved Annapolis Subscription Plate 4 May 1743.
Silver in the Golden Age of Annapolis
On view September 12 – December 30, 2025
Hours 12 – 5pm, Closed on Tuesdays
Punch Bowl, 1743
Silver, Annapolis, Maryland
4 7/16 x 7 5/16 in.
Baltimore Museum of Art, Gift of Sarah Steuart Hartshorne and Alice Key Montell, BMA 1936.45
