Nashville, Tennessee coin silver cream ladle, pointed oval handle with round bowl, marked on back of handle J.T. Ellifton in rectangle (sic; mark used by Joseph Thorp Elliston, 1779-1856, active Nashville, TN 1797-1820). Monogrammed T or P. 5 3/4" L. Circa 1800-1820. Note: Joseph Thorp Elliston was born 1779 in Culpepper, Virginia. He apprenticed with Samuel Ayres and in 1797, established himself as Nashville's first silversmith. Elliston counted Andrew Jackson among his patrons. This ladle is illustrated p. 79 (figure 63G) in the book Tennessee Silvermiths by Dr. Benjamin H. Caldwell, p. 76-81. Provenance: The estate of Dr. Benjamin H. Caldwell, Nashville, Tennessee. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com)

Monogram and mark both show wear, some small dents to bowl. Repaired bend or break to midsection of handle just before mark.