Tureen
Date1857
MediumSilver
Dimensions7 1/4 × 14 3/4 × 9 1/8 inches (18.4 × 37.5 × 23.2 cm)
Credit LinePromised bequest of Davida Tenenbaum Deutsch and Alvin Deutsch in memory of Meyer and LaBelle Tenenbaum and in honor of Samuel and Ina Tenenbaum and Karen, Barry and Megan Gale.
Object numberL.1.1.1999
Label TextThe covered soup tureen and covered vegetable dish were part of an original seven-piece dinner service of rococo-revival design including acanthus-scroll feet, repousse and chased bodies, and covers with foliate scrolls and cast finials.
From the Savannah Daily Morning News of March 11, 1857 - "A telegraphic despatch informs us briefly that Senator Toombs on Monday, presented to ex-President FRANKLIN PIERCE, in behalf of the citizens of Savannah, a beautiful service of plate, which was thankfully acknowledged by Mr. Pierce. The plate consists of a very beautiful and costly dinner service comprising seven pieces, and was manufactured by BAILEY & Co. of Philadelphia. Each piece has two tablet or shields, one on each side. On each side is inscribed: THE/ DEMOCRATS OF SAVANNAH/ TO/ FRANKLIN PIERCE/
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES/ FROM 1853 to 1857. The reverse side contains the following: IN/ GRATEFUL MEMORY/ OF HIS/ FAITHFUL ADHERENCE/ TO THE/ CONSTITUTION/ OF HIS COUNTRY "
It seems that Pierce's support of states' rights and his endorsement of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill of 1854, which addresses the issue of the legal reach of slavery, had endeared him to Savannahians.