Jefferson's Original Design
Jul 30th 2024 - Admin
Jefferson Cups are beautiful, functional pieces of American heritage, and make lovely, unusual gifts.
Commissioned by Thomas Jefferson, our third President, a set of eight of these cups was originally made by silversmith John Letelier in 1810. Formed in a tumbler shape, these low, round bottomed cups are hammered from a single disk of silver. They have a heavier bottom than sides, to promote stability and prevent spillage. Jefferson requested that these cups also be engraved and have a gilt (gold-lined) interior. According to the records at Monticello, these cups became Jefferson’s regular dining table drink ware.
Now you can give one, or a set, of elegant replicas of Jefferson’s original design. There are a number of options to choose from when deciding which Jefferson cup you wish to give. We offer a traditional Monticello cup, in pewter, complete with a Monticello gift box. We also offer a pewter Jefferson cup from the Images of America collection, with beading on the rim and scoring on the base. This cup can be paired with one or more other pieces from the Images of America collection to make a stunning gift for any occasion. For the authentic experience, we also offer a sterling silver Jefferson cup in the traditional style that begs the addition of an appropriate engraving. We also offer the
Jefferson Cup in a set of 12 so that, like Jefferson, you can use them at your own dining table.
Whether you use them in your own home or give them as house warming, Christmas or christening gifts, today’s Jefferson cups will become household treasures bequeathed to the next generation, just as Jefferson’s original cups were distributed by Martha Jefferson Randolph to her own children in the 1830s. So join the tradition, contact us and purchase the Jefferson cup: a handsome gift with a distinguished history.