American coin silver wine trolley, Francis W. Cooper, NY circa 1850
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$7,500.00
retailed by Palmer and Newcomb, length overall 23 1/2 inches, each coaster eight inches in diameter, gross weight 47 Troy ounces, engraved with an old English "m" and the crest of the Muir family (please see fourth photo). Overall condition is superb, though we will mention that the wooden inserts are later made but period accurate replacements.
Known for his ecclesiastical silver, Cooper's work can be found in major museums, notably an enameled chalice and paten in Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (accession number 1996.27.1-2), a flagon in the Newark museum, and a jewelled flagon held by the Carnegie museum and pictured in Venable (p. 58; fig. 3.13).
Though we won't be so bold as to claim that it is unique, American silver wine trolleys from the mid 19th century are most certainly scarce. This extraordinary piece, with its whimsical and amusant prairie schooner form, would make a splendid and functional addition to any dining table.
