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Lot 5152
An important silver-hilted American naval officer's eagle pommel sworda rare signed example by Nehemiah Dodge of Providence, Rhode Island, late 18th century
8 June 2015, 10:00 PDT
San FranciscoSold for US$32,760 inc. premium
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An important silver-hilted American naval officer's eagle pommel sword
a rare signed example by Nehemiah Dodge of Providence, Rhode Island, late 18th century
a rare signed example by Nehemiah Dodge of Providence, Rhode Island, late 18th century
Straight 32 inch tapered blade with single broad fuller extending to tip. Blade with small mark near hilt on right side. Ornate and very detailed scowling eagle head pommel, the eyes with double brows, the feathers engraved in great detail; turned pommel cap. Five-ball stirrup hilt; the balls on the knucklebow framed by double-ring turnings on each end and ring turnings between each ball; silver ring beneath eagle's beak on knucklebow; guard signed twice N Dodge within a rectangular stamp with serrated border and mounted with a detailed fouled anchor between the guard and the five-ball outer branch. Grip wrapped with flat silver bands and braided wire; each end with silver ferrules with four engraved lines.
Condition: Very Good. Blade with grey patina and scattered areas of dark spotting and light surface rust. Hilt, grip and pommel excellent; polished bright, some wear to turnings on knucklebow and one arm of anchor missing; maker's markings very clear.
See Illustration
Condition: Very Good. Blade with grey patina and scattered areas of dark spotting and light surface rust. Hilt, grip and pommel excellent; polished bright, some wear to turnings on knucklebow and one arm of anchor missing; maker's markings very clear.
See Illustration
Footnotes
Note: This is the only signed example by this famous Rhode Island silversmith and jeweler. Examples attributed to the Dodge family are very scarce. A very similar example can be seen on page 48 of >The American Eagle Pommel Sword by E. Andrew Mowbray. The sword shown there, though unsigned, is attributed to Seril Dodge of Providence, Rhode Island, the uncle of Nehemiah Dodge. An unattributed example that is clearly the work of Nehemiah Dodge can be seen on page 208 of Silver Mounted American Swords, the Lattimer Family Collection, by Daniel B. Hartzler
Nehemiah Dodge was a pioneering Rhode Island industrialist whose craft was that of "manufacturing jeweler". He is generally regarded as the principle founder of Rhode Island's jewelry industry. He was born on December 17, 1774 in Pomfret, Connecticut. He moved with his uncle, Seril to Providence. In 1794 he opened a shop on North Main Street as a silversmith, goldsmith and watch-repairer. He moved his shop to south of the First Baptist Meeting House in 1798 and soon decided to build up his business by manufacturing cheaper metals. He is credited with discovering how to cover base metals with silver and gold, reducing the price of jewelry and making it more affordable. He also opened his shop to customers who could purchase jewelry made in advance and sold his plated gold to other goldsmiths, becoming the first "manufacturing jeweler." Dodge's revolutionary business practices shaped the future of the jewelry business in Providence which would last well into the 20th century. His most famous apprentice was Jabez Gorham (1792 - 1869), founder of the internationally renowned Gorham Manufacturing Company. Dodge continued to work in Providence until 1824.
Nehemiah Dodge lived at 65 Benefit Street, a few blocks from his shop. He married Sarah Crawford Tripe in September 1795 in Providence.