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Skimmer

Skimmer

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Description
Large, shallow, circular skimmer attached with three rivets to a slender, faceted, slightly downturned handle flattened into a flared and pointed end with pierced hole; all rivets domed on front and flat on back. Bowl is perforated with small holes arranged into a circle with eight straight radiating arms around the center rivet. Back of handle struck "R.LEE" in raised roman letters in a scalloped rectangle.
Attributed to Richard Lee Jr. (1775–c. 1858), who worked in Springfield, VT, 1795-1815, and Beverly, MA, 1816-1820. Lee Jr. was the son of Richard Lee Sr. (1747–1823), an itinerant pewterer who worked in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Springfield, VT, between 1773 and 1823. Lee Sr. is believed to have sold brass and pewter made by his son and both Lees are thought to have used the same marks, making it difficult to attribute pieces to the father or son.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
skimmer
date made
1795 - 1820
place made
United States: Vermont, Springfield
United States: Massachusetts, Beverly
Physical Description
brass (bowl; handle material)
copper (rivets material)
Measurements
overall: 2 5/8 in x 14 1/2 in x 5 1/4 in; 6.6675 cm x 36.83 cm x 13.335 cm
ID Number
1978.0939.001
accession number
1978.0939
catalog number
1978.0939.001
Credit Line
Gift of John Paul Remensnyder
See more items in
Cultural and Community Life: Domestic Life
Domestic Furnishings
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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