A Very Scarce Richard Lee Taster Porringer with Cast Touch - SOLD

This Cast Touch taster porringer is from the shop of either Richard Lee Senior or Junior. Both Lees are considered to be Vermont pewterers. Lee Sr. was in Grafton, NH from, 1788-1790, Ashfield, MA 1791-1793, Lanesboro, MA 1794-1802 and Springfield, VT from 1802-1823. Lee Jr. was in Springfield, VT from 1795-1815 and Beverly, MA from 1816-1820.

The porringer has R Lee cast on the back of the bracket. It would not surprise me if the mold for this porringer was made out of soapstone. When the Lees were in Springfield, Vermont, they were very close to the soapstone quarries in Perkinsville so the material was readily available.

The bowl measures 2 9/16” in diameter. The handle or ear is very delicate in design. The raised cast name is boldly displayed on the bracket. The lathe marks are broad and somewhat naïve in character. A very scarce porringer in near fine condition. In the past 50 years this is only the second example we have had.

The only Lee taster porringers that would be considered rarer are those marked with the Lee “Stag” touch.