From the collection of:
The Filson Historical Society || VAM Home

Kentucky had a distinguished tradition of silversmithing from its earliest days. Concentrated primarily in Central Kentucky and Louisville, craftsmen fashioned objects of utility and elegance from silver recovered by melting coins, which were often brought in bags on horseback from rural areas.

The most notable of the early Kentucky silversmiths was Asa Blanchard, whose sophisticated simplicity has attracted collectors since the late 19th century. R.C.B. Thruston, legendary president of the Filson Historical Society, acquired the works on display from the noted dealer Eleanor Offut. He also had his own christening cup retooled for one of his godchildren.

Pictured: Asa Blanchard: julep cups and silver ladle; Garner and Winchester: chased and repoussé pitcher and matching goblets, presented to Major Wm. E. Woodruff by the Marion Rifle Battalion c. 1860 and given by Edith Woodruff, his daughter; silver christening cup marked Gorham, but retooled by Blanchard for R.C.B. Thruston.

About the Artist

Asa Blanchard was a prominent Lexington silversmith, clockmaker, and watchmaker in the early 19th century. The first record of him in Kentucky is an 1808 notice that he had taken on an apprentice. He ran a very successful shop on Mill Street in Lexington, and his pieces were owned by many prominent Kentuckians. A silver beaker made by Blanchard was presented to Henry Clay as an award for “Best Saxon Ram” by the Kentucky Agricultural Society. A pair of his candlesticks now in the Speed Art Museum collection was made for early Kentucky Governor Isaac Shelby. Blanchard also made a tall-case clock that is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: Do you consider these pieces art? How were silver items used in the early 1800s? How are they used today? What is a christening cup? Are christening cups used today? Some of Blanchard’s pieces were given as awards. What types of commemorative items are awarded today? Are unique mugs and cups popular today? What are they made of?

Activities: Research silver and silversmithing and create a class display.

Design a decorative cup or mug using symbols and motifs that are important to you.

Links

Blanchard is included in the Filson Historical Society’s Art of History exhibition.
[www.filsonhistorical.org/decartexhibit.html]

The Speed Art Museum’s Kentucky Collection includes a portrait of Asa Blanchard by Matthew Harris Jouett as well as the silver candlesticks made by Blanchard for Isaac Shelby.
[www.speedmuseum.org/jouett_n.html]
[www.speedmuseum.org/candlesticks_n.html]

Read more about silversmithing at the Colonial Williamsburg web site.
[www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/almanack/life/trades/tradesil.cfm]

Learn more about early Kentucky silver at the Headley-Whitney Museum.
[www.headley-whitney.org/web_site/silver.htm]