Rare Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. Colorless Lacy Pressed Glass U.S.F. "Constitution" Tray, 1832-40. Depicting the ship beneath the title "U.S.F. CONSTITUTION" and two groups of stars, the rim surrounded by a border of alternating hearts and six-point stars within a scallop and point edge, double-rope table ring.H: 1 in., W: 7.125 in., D: 4.5 in.The depicted ship is believed to represent the frigate U.S.F. "Constitution," which was laid up in Boston Navy Yard in 1828. While there she was deemed unseaworthy, and condemned to be scrapped. In 1830 Oliver Wendell Holmes published a poem entitled "Old Ironsides," which drew attention to the frigate and led to her preservation in 1833. According to Kenneth M. Wilson, the tray probably commemorates that event. Kenneth M. Wilson, "American Glass 1760-1930," vol. I, p. 399, cat. n. 573. See also Ruth Webb Lee, "Sandwich Glass: The History of the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company," p. 418, pl. 167; James H. Rose, "The Story of the American Pressed Glass of the Lacy Period 1825-1850," p. 76, n. 127; Kenneth M. Wilson, "New England Glass and Glassmaking," p. 276, fig. 239 bottom left; Jane Shadel Spillman, "American and European Pressed Glass in the Corning Museum of Glass," p. 105, no. 309; and "The Elsholz Collection of Early American Glass," vol. 2, n. 958.

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1 x 7.125 x 4.5 in