Silver Butter Dish, c.1855

Birmingham, England
Maker: George W. Webb
Medium: Silver
S50 Gift of Mrs. John N. Burk in 1971

This silver butter dish was owned by the Harwood family who lived in the Hammond-Harwood House. This treasured piece likely graced the table in their breakfast room, off of the dining room at the back of the house, which has a view of the garden.

Standing just over five inches tall, this intricate round coin silver butter dish has scrolled animal-like feet. It was made in 1855 in Birmingham, England, by George Webb, who later went into business with his brother-in-law, John Newton Mappin. Their company, Mappin & Webb, still exists today. The cow motif, especially appropriate for a butter dish, can be found in three places on the piece. The two side handles are cow’s heads, each with a bow of silver ropes hanging from its mouth. The high lid culminates in a small finial in the shape of a cow resting peacefully with its legs tucked up under its body. Around the dish is repousse foliage.The top edge has a decorated Greek key or meander border. Classical motifs weren’t uncommon in this period, This decorative element probably held special meaning for the owner William Harwood (1809-1900) who was a Greek scholar.

In this period in Annapolis’ history butter would have been produced locally and sold at market. The current market house was built between 1857 and 1858, and once completed had four rows of cast iron columns. Likely the Hammonds purchased some household sundries here. Butter was also imported from Goshen, NY, Glades, PA and Ohio. By the 1820s, “butter boxes” (lead lined wooden boxes that worked like coolers) were used to transport butter.

An elaborate piece like this could be brought out for a breakfast party. Though less common in America than Britain, a breakfast party was a festive occasion meant for very close friends. In the 1850’s British poet Thomas Babington Macaulay said “[d]inner parties are mere formalities; but you invite a man to breakfast because you want to see them.” Author Harriet Beecher Stowe agreed with Macaulay:
“You may be sure, if you are invited to breakfast, there is something agreeable about you.” So those lucky enough to use this butter dish were likely good friends of the Harwoods.

By Rachel Lovett, Curator