Rare Benjamin Bunker (fl. 1770-1815) Nantucket Coin Silver Porringer, circa 1797, the pierced handle engraved with initials S/GH for George Swain (1776-1848) and Hanna Coffin (b. 1778) commemorating their marriage in 1797.   The Swains’ had eight children together: Eunice Swain b. 27 Apr 1797, Barzillai Swain b. 31 Dec 1800, Henry W.  Swain b. Oct 1805, Samuel Swain b. 09 Mar 1808, George G. Swain b. 02 April 1809, Charles Swain b. 02 Apr 1810, Lydia C. Swain b. 13 Mar 1813, Emily Swain b. 03 Dec 1815. 3mm hole just below the handle.

Note: This porringer is listed in the dictionary of Patricia E. Kane’s  Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers. Ms Kane is the leading expert on Massachusetts colonial silver at Yale and it is noted that the porringer was once owned by Frank Sylvia of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Height 2 in. Length 8.25 in. Diameter of Bowl 5.5 in.