ticketsMember | Make a donation

Coffeepot

Attributed to Christian Wiltberger American
ca. 1800
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 750
This handsome tea and coffee service (1980.503.1--.4), although unmarked, has been attributed to the Philadelphia silversmith Christian Wiltberger on the basis of style. Stately and dignified, with its fluted forms and generous proportions, it represents the fully matured Neoclassical style. The service belonged to Eleanor Parke (Nelly) Custis (1779–1852), granddaughter of Martha Washington, who married George Washington's nephew Lawrence Lewis (1767–1839) on February 22, 1799. Family tradition holds that the service was a gift from General Lafayette and his son, who were close friends of the family. In addition to the matching bands of bright-cut ornament, each piece is engraved with the Lewis crest and with the script monogram "LEPL" for Lawrence and Eleanor Parke Lewis. In place of the customary urn or flame-shaped finial, cast eagles surmount three of the pieces, especially appropriate for America's first family.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Coffeepot
  • Maker: Attributed to Christian Wiltberger (American, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1766–1851 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Date: ca. 1800
  • Geography: Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Silver
  • Dimensions: Overall: 14 1/2 x 10 15/16 x 5 5/8 in. (36.8 x 27.8 x 14.3 cm); 41 oz. 11 dwt. (1292 g)
    Foot: 4 3/16 x 4 5/16 in. (10.6 x 11 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of H. H. Walker Lewis, in memory of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. S. Lewis, 1980
  • Object Number: 1980.503.1
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Sugar Bowl, Christian Wiltberger American, Silver, American
Sugar Bowl
Christian Wiltberger
ca. 1800
Tea Caddy, Christian Wiltberger American, Silver, American
Tea Caddy
Christian Wiltberger
1797–ca. 1815
Tea Spoon, Christian Wiltberger American, Silver, American
Tea Spoon
Christian Wiltberger
1770–1800
Teapot, Christian Wiltberger American, Silver, American
Teapot
Christian Wiltberger
ca. 1800
Tray, Christian Wiltberger American, Silver, American
Tray
Christian Wiltberger
Samuel Alexander
1796

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.