Hot Water Urn
Date1784 - 1790
MediumSilver-plate [lacquered]
Dimensions16 3/4 × 13 × 14 5/16 inches (42.5 × 33 × 36.4 cm)
MarkingsRegistered mark: twin suns
Credit LineGift of James A. Williams.
Object number1967.2.a-.d
CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextThis urn was designed for a prominent position on the tea table. It is decorated with gadroon borders, foliate spout and handles, and a finial formed as a flower. The square pedestal base is raised on paw feet. The maker's mark on the body and cover is Matthew Boulton's registered mark of Twin Suns. Boulton's most important achievement in the field of silversmithing was his patent for the Sheffield silver plating process. A method of creating a compound metal of silver and copper, it not only had a profound effect on the production of silver items, but it also revolutionized the hot and cold forging of metals in general.