Craftsman & Artisan Archives - 15 Stars Fine Aged Bourbon

Craftsman & Artisan

In 1795, when Kentucky was recognized on the 15 STAR Flag, the state was prosperous and growing. The Kentucky Bluegrass region was known as the “Athens of the West,” and skilled Kentucky craftsmen produced lasting products for discerning customers. We are inspired by their example, as we craft our bourbons today.

Kentucky State Seal, 1794

The Seal of Kentucky, conceived and crafted in 1793, remains the official Seal of the state.

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Kentucky State Seal, 1794

The Seal of Kentucky, conceived and crafted in 1793 by Lexington, Kentucky artisan silversmith David Humphries, remains the official Seal of the state.

The Seal of Kentucky was conceived and crafted in 1793, by Lexington Kentucky silversmith David Humphries. This rare 1794 official wax and paper imprint of the Kentucky Seal is one of its first official uses in the state.

In December 1792, the Kentucky General Assembly passed an act, reading: “That the Governor be empowered and is hereby required to provide at the public charge a seal for this Commonwealth; and procure the same to be engraved with the following device, two friends embracing, with the name of the state over their heads and around about the following motto: United We Stand, Divided we Fall.” Governor Isaac Shelby, Kentucky’s first governor and a distiller himself, commissioned David Humphries to produce the state seal. Governor Shelby is the signatory of this official 1794 land grant bearing the Kentucky Seal. This craft-made seal, conceived in 1793, remains the official Seal of Kentucky to this day.

Kentucky Rifle

This fine Kentucky Rifle brings together detailed workmanship, clean design, and desired function. It’s a great example of the early craftsmanship of the region.

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Kentucky Rifle

This fine Kentucky Rifle brings together detailed workmanship, clean design, and desired function. It’s a great example of the early craftsmanship of the region.

The Kentucky Rifle is one of the most iconic symbols of early Kentucky and of the western frontier. This is an elegant example of the craftsmanship of the Cumberland River Valley which encompasses parts of southern Kentucky and middle Tennessee. This gun was made around 1815. While an important and highly desired functional tool for hunting, this rifle was crafted by a maker that was just as concerned about fine workmanship and design and used extensive brass and silver ornamentation. Functionally, the accuracy of these guns with long rifled barrels was a game changer for the “Longhunters of Kentucky”. This rifle was handcrafted by an artisan gunsmith who took immense pride in his work, and you can imagine the appreciation of the gentleman for whom it was made when he first gazed at the clean lines, felt the smoothness of the sleek curly maple stock, and then shouldered it for the first time.

Coin Silver Julep Cup

Crafted by Asa Blanchard in Lexington. Blanchard is considered the premier early Kentucky silversmith.

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Coin Silver Julep Cup

Crafted by Asa Blanchard in Lexington. Blanchard is considered the premier early Kentucky silversmith.

Silversmiths were part of the body of fine craftsmen and artisans which worked in early Kentucky producing goods for a growing cosmopolitan market. These artisans moved into Kentucky and quickly became established as the state grew in affluence. Asa Blanchard is considered to be one of the very finest silversmiths of early Kentucky. This coin silver mint julep cup was one of the items Blanchard’s shop produced during the time he worked in Lexington Kentucky, from 1808 – 1838. This rare cup is stamped BLANCHARD on the bottom, has tapering cylindrical sides, with a reeded rim and foot ring. It stands 3 1/4” high and contains 4.95 oz of coin silver.

Bardstown Kentucky Pistol

This rare flintlock pistol is attributed to Jacob Riser of Bardstown Kentucky c. 1815.

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Bardstown Kentucky Pistol

This rare flintlock pistol is attributed to Jacob Riser of Bardstown Kentucky c. 1815. It is a great example of the pride in fine workmanship of early Kentucky.

This rare half stock flintlock Kentucky pistol is attributed to early gunsmith and craftsman Jacob Riser of Bardstown, Kentucky. Made c.1815, the pistol was decorated with silver overlays on the rear ramrod pipe, silver escutcheons, a silver band at the base of the grip, and a silver sideplate. Pistols like this example were made primarily for home defense, to carry hunting as a quick second shot, or simply for pleasure. The rarity of American civilian pistols is noteworthy as there was possibly one Kentucky pistol produced for every hundred Kentucky rifles. A Kentucky pistol from Bardstown gunsmith Jacob Riser is an exceptionally rare find. Kentucky pistols with rifled barrels (this example has a .36 caliber rifled bore) is an additional rarity as most were smooth bore since they were designed for close range. This handcrafted pistol would have been an extra luxury for a Kentucky gentleman which he would have had great pride in owning.

Coin Silver Relish Ladle

This fine silver ladle is the work of artisan silversmiths in Lexington Kentucky.

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Coin Silver Relish Ladle

This fine silver ladle is the work of artisan silversmiths in Lexington Kentucky, where the Ayres & Haydon shop crafted this ladle in 1811-1813.

This coin silver sauce ladle with period script monogram R was produced by Ayres & Haydon in Lexington Kentucky where Samuel Ayres and Noah Haydon operated as partners in silversmithing during the years 1811-1813. Fine silver was in demand in the developing Kentucky cities. As more prosperous families moved to the new west, silversmiths and other craftsmen moved with them to supply the demand. Lexington during this time was known as “The Athens of the West” as the city embraced a cosmopolitan culture. This delicate ladle is produced from coin silver at 6 ¼” long with a small bowl of 1 3/8” making it most usable as a relish ladle.

Coin Silver Punch Ladle

This rare large coin silver ladle was crafted by the most highly regarded silversmith of early Kentucky.

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Coin Silver Punch Ladle

This rare large coin silver ladle was crafted by Asa Blanchard who remains the most highly regarded silversmith of early Kentucky.

This rare silver ladle is a classic example of the work of Asa Blanchard who set up shop in Lexington Kentucky in 1808. Asa Blanchard is still the most highly regarded silversmith of early Kentucky and produced a full range of products for the refined aesthetics of his customer base at the time. This rare ladle carries the monogram “H” and is 13 1/4” long with the bowl of the ladle at 3 1/2” across which would make it usable as a soup or punch ladle. The silver used in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s was available in coins and the term coin silver results from this origin of the metal. Lexington and the surrounding area were growing at a rapid pace and talented artisans flooded into the area to serve the growing affluent population.

Federal Period Sideboard

This refined Federal period sideboard, circa 1805, reflects the highly skilled craftsmanship of early furniture makers in Lexington, KY.

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Federal Period Sideboard

This refined Federal period sideboard, circa 1805, reflects the highly skilled craftsmanship of early furniture makers in Lexington, KY.

This refined Federal period sideboard, circa 1805, reflects the highly skilled craftsmanship of early furniture makers from the inner bluegrass region of Kentucky, centered on Lexington. Related Kentucky sideboards are located in the collection of the Speed Museum in Louisville Kentucky and have been surveyed by MESDA (Museum of Southern Decorative Arts). Many highly talented artisans were moving into the Lexington, Kentucky region at this time to serve the rapid cosmopolitan growth, making Lexington known as the “Athens of the West”.

The primary wood is cherry, with walnut and poplar as secondary woods. The book matched veneer on the face of the sideboard as well as the clean lines of the piece reflect both the skill of the maker and the refined taste of the customer for whom the piece was produced. The Dimensions of this larger sideboard are 71 3/8” long, 41 1/8” high and 23 1/8”, 21 1/8”, and 25 3/8” deep as it scrolls.

This fine work of early Kentucky craftsmanship is on long term loan by the 15 STARS Collection to the Jack Jouett House Historic Site in Versailles, Kentucky. Please visit the Jack Jouett House when you are in the greater Lexington Kentucky area.

Cherry Chest

This finely proportioned chest of drawers with barber pole inlay, made from old growth cherry displays the craftsmanship found in early Kentucky.

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Cherry Chest

This finely proportioned chest of drawers with barber pole inlay, made from old growth cherry displays the craftsmanship found in early Kentucky.

This finely crafted cherry chest of drawers was found in Lexington, Kentucky. Likely dating from 1790-1810, it shows one style of workmanship in early Kentucky. At this time Kentucky had many fine furniture makers supporting the rapidly growing state. The fine lines of this chest, its French feet, simply scrolled apron, drawers with chamfered bottoms, and barber pole inlay throughout show the craftmanship of the time. The cherry wood of this piece is dense and heavy identifying it as coming from the old virgin forests of the area.

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