Jeremiah Dummer referred to as America’s first native-born silversmith. He was Born on September 14, 1645 in the city of Boston. Jeremiah apprenticed with John Hull and Robert Sanders, who have our #9 spot on the world’s most expensive silver.
https://steemit.com/steemsilvergold/@dixiesilverminer/count-down-of-most-expensive-silver-items Jeremiah was also a member of the Old South church. His works are some of the most sought-after collectible pieces of early American silver art.
This Tankard is currently for sale at $95,000.00 USD
circa 1700. Height 5 3/4 inches 17 oz 6 dwt.
The fluted band you see on the plain surface is a characteristic of his work. He is credited to have introduced into American silver the style of ornamentation known as "gadrooning", which is a curved fluting worked onto the surface of the silver. Jeremiah was also a well accomplished engraver, he engraved the plates for Connecticut's first paper money issued in 1710 and it was his apprentice John coney(also his brother in-law) that made the first plates for the state of Massachusetts.
There are over a 100 pieces of Jeremiah’s work is on display today and they can be seen at:
Boston Museum of Fine Arts
Yale University Art Gallery
Seattle Art Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Historic Deerfield
Winterthur Library
Bayou Bend Collection
Not only was he a talented SilverSmith that trained over 10 other Silversmiths(Apprenticeship lasts 5-8 years) but He also held many public offices. Jeremiah was a appointed to the Freemasons in 1680
He was the Constable of Boston from 1675-1676, served as a Boston Selectmen from 1691-1692, Was Suffolk County Judge of the Court common pleas from 1702-1715 and he was prominent member in many other organizations and the Church.
Jeremiah Dummer definitely left his mark on early American Colonial history.
Thanks for reading and Happy Stacking!
Sources:
http://lambsilver.com/shop/dummer-tankard-circa-1700/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremiah_Dummer_(silversmith)
https://www.myfreemasonry.com/threads/memes.26952/