Rare American Pewter Deep Dish, Mark of James Porter

Circa 1800, struck twice to the underside with eagle touch mark of James Porter, active in Connecticut, Baltimore, Maryland and Fayetteville, North Carolina, of round form with deep flange.

13 1/4 in. diameter

From the Collection of Quincy and Betty Scarborough, Fayetteville, North Carolina

James Porter trained under Joseph Danforth, Sr. commencing about 1786, then with Jonathan and William in Joseph's shop until 1794, at which time he purchased property in Middletown next to William Danforth. Thereafter, he either worked alone or with William. It is during this period that he marked his wares with his own touch. In 1803 he is listed in the Baltimore directory as a pewterer, but the birth of his child was listed in the Middletown records later in the same year. In 1805 he sold his property in Middletown. In 1809 he announced his permanent residence in Baltimore. It is possible that this is the James Porter who worked with Nott and Johnson as a journeyman and a peddler in Fayetteville from 1817-21.

Source: The Pewter Collectors' Club of America Inc.: The Bulletin, Summer 2003; Vol. 12, Number 9. Pg. 411.

Good estate condition; some surface scratches and pin point denting.