Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Boiler, Egg |
Catalog Number |
0985.07.00157 |
Description |
Egg boiler: Silverplated egg boiler with two handles and double hinged top. The footed base is pierced to allow air to the burner. The interior has twelve cut out circes for eggs to rest in while boiling. The egg boiler carries no marks but is thought to be made by Rogers, Smith & Co. of New Haven, Connecticut. |
Material |
Metal/Silver |
Dimensions |
H-14 W-8 D-6.75 inches |
Owned |
John Dabney ; Kate Dabney Jackson |
Made |
Rogers Smith and Company, New Haven, Connecticut, USA (tentative) |
Provenance |
This silver egg boiler was used by Jefferson Davis and family during their residency of the White House of the Confederacy. John Dabney, the famous African-American caterer (who made the mint julep for the Prince of Wales [future King Edward VII of England]), bought the egg boiler at the 1870 Auction. He gave it to his daughter Kate. "Kate is a fine person and has waited on many of the best ladies in Richmond, giving shampoos and massages. She is now blind. It is through Kate that we came into possession of the Egg-boiler." -- Written by Mrs. William D. Duke John Dabney was a renowned Richmond-based caterer through much of the nineteenth century. Dabney began acquiring his reputation while enslaved, even serving one of his famed mint juleps to the future Edward VII during the prince's 1860 visit to America. (Encyclopedia of Virginia) |
People |
Davis, Jefferson Dabney, John Jackson, Kate Dabney Dabney, Kate |
Search Terms |
Confederate Executive Mansion Confederate White House Executive Mansion White House of the Confederacy Richmond, Virginia 1870 Auction free blacks |
Subjects |
African Americans slaves slavery auctions Free people of color Free African Americans Food preparation |