Posted 9 years ago
lovedecant…
(237 items)
I have recently purchased this slightly battered, but charming Georgian decanter. It has three bladed neck rings and a lozenge shaped stopper. In addition it has chips to either side of the stopper and a chip to one of the rings. It has suffered the usual amount of wear you would expect from a period piece like this.
The most interesting thing about this decanter is the motto, "SUCCESS TO CONGRESS JAN 6 1800". I have examined the motto very carefully and it has been etched with what appears to be a slightly shakey grinding wheel. The script looks right too. The pair of Ss in SUCCESS look like Fs. Having had a look around I have seen that the pair of Ss in success on some mottos are exaggerated or look like Fs. I also can't get the dirt out of the it either. To my eyes it looks period with the decanter. If anything I would put the decanter slightly before 1800, in the 1790 to 1800 period.
So my question is, would this be the US Congress and if it is why would they put this motto at that time? I am not an American, so any guidance would be much appreciated.
just a guess, but perhaps for the January 6, 1800 maiden voyage of the USS Congress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Congress_(1799)
Wow, you hit the nail on the head. Amazing. Thank you so much, the 6th January 1800 seemed such a random date. I couldn't find anything in US history for that date. This is so cool. History is brilliant, especially when you can glue physical bits of it together.
fantastic piece of history right here! Well done!!!
You're very welcome. And congrats on obtaining this interesting bit of history. Hope you can provide a proper spot for it on your website and share the history. I share your error in that I collect EAPG cake stands, which require lots of space, and I have over 250 of them.
I daren't count my decanters, as then I can quite honestly say I don't know how many I have. I don't know anything about EAPG cake stands, but just for you I will load up the monster grandaddy of them all. I hope you like it.