William Dean Whiting
William Dean Whiting (December 23, 1815 - November 26, 1891) was an American silversmith and jeweler. He was the founder of the Whiting Manufacturing Company, and "one of the most prominent jewelry manufacturers" in the United States according to the Boston Globe.[1]
William Dean Whiting | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 23, 1815 Attleboro, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 26, 1891 |
| Occupation(s) | Silversmith, jeweler |
| Spouse | Rebecca Damon |
| Children | 4 |
Life
Whiting was born on December 23, 1815 in Attleboro, Massachusetts.[1] He was trained by Draper and Tifft, a jewelry company co-founded by his uncle John Tifft.[2][3]
Whiting died on November 26, 1891 in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, at 76.[1][4] His son Frank M. Whiting was also a silversmith.[3] The Whiting Manufacturing Company merged with the Gorham Manufacturing Company in 1924.[3]
Whiting Manufacturing Co.
In 1840, Whiting co-founded his own jewelry company Tifft and Whiting with his cousin Albert Crandall Tifft.[2] After Tifft retirement in 1853, Whitening renamed the company as Whiting & Gooding (& Co). Next thirteen years, the company was rebaptized as Whiting Fessenden & Cowan (1858), Tifft Whiting & Co (1859), Whiting Cowan & Bowen (1864) until its forming as Whiting Manufacturing Co. in 1866.[5][1][3]
The factory of Whiting Manufacturing Co. was located in North Attleborough, Massachusetts, but it was destroyed by a fire in 1875. After that, the company's manufacturing center was transferred to New York. The ruins of the factory were acquired by F. Jones.[5]
Even if Whiting had a small production output, his company was recognized as an exceptional hand-made producer. Charles Osborne was the most famous designer in the company, considered one of the most influential designers of the American aesthetic movement.[5]
By 1891, William Dean Whiting was described as "one of the most prominent jewelry manufacturers" in the United States by the Boston Globe.[1]
Silverware
Serving fork, Whiting Manufacturing Co., 1875-1880, Dallas Museum of Art
Hummingbird scoop, Whiting Manufacturing Co., 1875-1880, Dallas Museum of Art
Japanese-style serving spoon, Whiting Manufacturing Co., ca. 1874, Dallas Museum of Art
Ivory silver spoon, Whiting Manufacturing Co., 1890, Dallas Museum of Art
Serving fork, Whiting Manufacturing Co., ca.1900, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Serving spoon, Whiting Manufacturing Co., ca. 1900, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Tea Sets
Creamer, Whiting Manufacturing Co., 1890, Dallas Museum of Art
Teapot, Whiting Manufacturing Co., 1890, Dallas Museum of Art
Sugar Bowl, Whiting Manufacturing Co., 1890, Dallas Museum of Art
Coffeepot, Whiting Manufacturing Co., c. 1883, Dallas Museum of Art
References
- "William D. Whiting Dead. Was One of the Most Prominent Jewelry Manufacturers". The Boston Globe. November 26, 1891. p. 8. Retrieved June 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- Nova, Abigail (September 26, 2011). "The Japanesque silver of the Whiting Manufacturing Company". The Magazine ANTIQUES. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
- Bolger, Doreen (1986). In Pursuit of Beauty: Americans and the Aesthetic Movement. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. p. 485. ISBN 9780870994685. OCLC 557473636.
- "Buried in Mt. Hope. Funeral of the Late William Dean Whiting at North Attleboro". The Boston Globe. November 29, 1891. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Whiting Manufacturing Company: history, marks and flatware patterns". www.silvercollection.it. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
