Fine Antebellum New Orleans Coin (.900) Silver Presentation Water Pitcher, dated 1859, by Adolphe Himmel (1825-1877) for Hyde & Goodrich, the pear-shaped body decorated with repousse arrowhead leaves, with acanthus-chased lobed rim, elaborate cast and applied shell-and-flower spout, and arched foliate "s"-scroll handle, the whole raised on a milled foot ring, with engraved presentation inscription "Rev. C. de la Croix / from / Society of St. Vincent de Paul / N.O. / 19th July 1859", h. 9-1/2", dia. 7", l. 10", 38.22 t. oz. Father Pierre Cyril de la Croix was born on June 1, 1817 in Evreux, l'Eure, France. The circumstances of his immigration to the United States are not known, but he received his training at St. Mary's Seminary of the West (now Mount St. Mary's) in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was ordained on June 3, 1847. His first assignment was as assistant rector of St. Patrick's in New Orleans. There, he made the acquaintance of parishioner William Blair Lancaster (1826-1896), a Florida native and lawyer who had studied in Paris. There, Lancaster befriended the Blessed Antoine-Frederic Ozanam (1813-1853), founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Lancaster converted to Catholicism and, upon his return to New Orleans, he and Father de la Croix established the first branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the south. Father de la Croix was made pastor of St. Gabriel's in St. Gabriel, Louisiana in 1859, and it was almost certainly this occasion of his departure from New Orleans that he was presented this handsome pitcher from the members of the Society which he founded. In November 1865, Father de la Croix was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge, a position he would retain for the rest of his life. He founded the Baton Rouge chapter of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul in 1865, and oversaw the establishment many charitable and educational organizations for his parishioners, including the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille Orphanage (now St. Joseph's Academy) and the the Brothers of the Sacred Heart St. Vincent's Academy (now Catholic High School). He died on December 7, 1893, and is interred in the marble sanctuary of St. Joseph Cathedral.

Overall Condition: Good. There is a 1-1/4" dent on the rim, forming a short, shallow crease across the top of one lobe with a fairly deep 1/8" scratch on the edge. Scattered shallow dents, dings and scuffs, none severe, and all consistent with age and use. Superb decoration and attractive inscription. Marked (on the underside): "Hyde & Goodrich / H/ New Orleans". A beautiful piece with historic regional significance.