Abraham Gerritze Forbes Coin Silver Beaker, Marked A G F, ca. 1790s

Abraham Gerritze Forbes (American, 1763-1833). Coin Silver Beaker, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. Marked with initials on underside of base. A coin silver beaker attributed to Abraham Gerritze Forbes, its tapering cylindrical form rising from a slightly domed base to an unadorned rim. The surface shows hammering and finishing marks consistent with hand-wrought construction. The underside is struck with the maker's hallmark "A G F." Size: 3" Diameter x 3.5" H (7.6 cm x 8.9 cm); silver quality: 87.8%; weight: 98.4 grams Composed of approximately 87.8% silver, this vessel falls within the tradition of American coin silver, an alloy typically created by melting down circulating silver coins. In the colonial and early Federal periods, access to raw silver was limited, as British regulations restricted the flow of precious metals to the colonies. As a result, silversmiths relied heavily on coinage, as well as recycled domestic silver, transforming these materials into functional objects such as cups, spoons, and tankards. The establishment of the Boston mint in 1652 marked a turning point, symbolizing both economic independence and the growing availability of silver for local craftsmanship. Abraham Gerritze Forbes emerged from a lineage that would become central to New York silversmithing. Descended from William Forbes, who emigrated from Scotland in the early 18th century, Abraham was among the generation that helped establish the Forbes family as prolific producers of coin silver wares beginning around 1785. Trained through the traditional apprenticeship system, he was active in New York City from approximately 1785 to 1805, later working in partnership with his brother William Garret Forbes and other family members. His career extended beyond the workshop - he was made a freeman of New York City in 1789 and served as City Marshall from 1789 to 1802, reflecting both his professional standing and civic involvement This beaker exemplifies the practical luxury of early American silver, an object that would have been both utilitarian and symbolic, signaling refinement, stability, and participation in a growing national identity. Its restrained form and honest materiality place it firmly within the aesthetic of the Federal period, where clarity of line and proportion took precedence over elaborate ornament, allowing the quality of craftsmanship to speak with quiet authority. Item # 201965

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