Dorothy Sarbitt facts for kids
Dorothy Sarbitt (sometimes spelled Sarbit) was a very skilled English silversmith. She created many beautiful silver objects. Sometimes, she signed her work using the name Dorothy Mills.
Her Life as a Silversmith
Dorothy Sarbitt started her own silver-making business in London. She began after her first husband, Hugh Mills, passed away. In 1752, she registered her first special mark, like a signature, for her silver. She used the name Dorothy Mills for this mark.
At that time, she was known as a "largeworker." This meant she made bigger silver items. Before starting her own business, she worked with a goldsmith named Thomas Sarbitt. They even registered a shared mark for their work in the 1740s.
In 1753, Dorothy registered another mark, this time using the name Dorothy Sarbitt. She worked from an area called Saffron Hill in London. It seems her business might have closed around 1754.
Amazing Silver Pieces
Dorothy Sarbitt's beautiful silver creations are still admired today. Many museums proudly display her work.
- The National Museum of Women in the Arts owns a special sauce boat. A sauce boat is a small dish for serving sauces. This one was made by Dorothy Mills and Thomas Sarbitt in 1748.
- This same museum also has several pieces marked "Dorothy Sarbitt." These include two elegant salvers from 1753 and another salver from 1754. A salver is a flat tray, often used for serving.
- The Minneapolis Institute of Arts has a lovely cream jug she made. A cream jug is a small pitcher for cream. This piece was made around 1749 or 1750.
- The Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens has a tray that might have been made by Dorothy Sarbitt. She may have worked with Daniel Shaw on this piece in 1754.
