here's a pictorial evolution of the fiddle pattern in America that shows its course through the 19th century. It is a "quick & dirty" compilation with some gaps and there is probably room for some minor dispute in the ordering.
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American Fiddle Pattern
Hi Trev,
I've read that coffin ends came into being as a mark of mourning for the death of George Washington. True or not, they are generally thought to have first appeared in the last couple of years of the eighteenth century, (non-fiddle variety) and were made until about 1815. However, Francis Bigelow in "Historic Silver of the Colonies" illustrates a couple of dated "Mourning" examples from 1775 & 1777 by Daniel Rogers of Newport, RI.
I was also surprised the first (and only) time I came across one with British Hallmarks. What is the story on them over there?
Regards, Tom
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I've read that coffin ends came into being as a mark of mourning for the death of George Washington. True or not, they are generally thought to have first appeared in the last couple of years of the eighteenth century, (non-fiddle variety) and were made until about 1815. However, Francis Bigelow in "Historic Silver of the Colonies" illustrates a couple of dated "Mourning" examples from 1775 & 1777 by Daniel Rogers of Newport, RI.
I was also surprised the first (and only) time I came across one with British Hallmarks. What is the story on them over there?
Regards, Tom
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