Southern coin silver water dipper, round silver bowl with molded rim and turned walnut handle, the bowl with inscription or script monogram "Jeff Davis". Inscription appears period. 11-1/2"L. Provenance: private Arkansas collection. Note: Water dippers are a relatively uncommon form in American coin silver, and seem to surface mainly in the South (particularly the Deep South). While the exact history of this dipper is unknown, the Museum of the Confederacy has in its possession a nameplate from the silver chest of Jefferson Davis used in the White House of the Confederacy, also monogrammed "Jeff. Davis" (note the presence of a period after Jeff). According to the donor letter that accompanies the nameplate, "When Richmond was captured, and the Federal forces were taking possession, Sec. Chase, paymaster of the Confederacy, being unable to remove the heavy chest of silver and desirous of saving all he could, broke open the chest, taking off this plate from the top of the chest, and took out as much as he could of the contents." The nameplate and other objects were brought for safe keeping to Richmond; it is not known if this dipper might have been among them or if it has any connection to the former President of the Confederate States of America.

Repair at juncture of bowl and handle, several noticeable dents to bowl, 2 tears at rim (largest 3/8"L).