Silver Tongue Depressor

Description:

Silver Tongue Depressor, Paul Revere, Jr., (1734-1818),Boston, Massachusetts, fiddle coffin-shaped handle on depressor with pierced blade, stamped "REVERE" in a rectangle, lg. 5 1/8 in.

Literature: This tongue depressor is listed in the checklist of Paul Revere Jr.'s works in Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers, by Patricia Kane, Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven Connecticut, p. 884. In the biography about Paul Revere Jr. in this book, it is interesting to note that Revere supplemented his silversmithing with other occupations including dentistry, and it may be possible this tongue depressor was used in this practice.

Note: The depressor was apparently a gift from the Towle Silver Company of Providence, Rhode Island, to the Rhode Island School of Design where it was exhibited in 1965.
Estimate $4,000-6,000

Keywords