Description

A fine and rare early English sterling silver tankard with a flat hinged cover. Excellent size and quality. Good patina. With a scroll handle, decorative thumb piece and shield shaped terminal. A fabulous collector’s piece and still able to be used. To the front is a crisp armorial hand engraved within plumage feathers, in keeping with the period. An excellent example of early hand beaten silver with lots of character.

Contains 1400 ml.
Weight 731 grams, 23.5 troy ounces.
Height 15.3cm, 17.5cm (to top of thumbpiece). Diameter 12cm (top), 13.5cm (base). Spread 20.5cm.
London 1686.
Maker “TC, a fish above” probably Thomas Cooper, attributed by David Mitchell.
Sterling silver.

Marks. The lid and body are stamped with a full set of matching silver hallmarks, makers mark on the handle.

Signed/Inscribed: *It is unusual to have a makers name for a piece of silver of this early date as there are no precise records of silver makers’ marks prior to 1697. All records were destroyed in the fire at Goldsmiths Hall in 1681. Sometimes the details of makers can be discovered from old records such as the inventories of noble houses and other institutions.

The first surviving record at Goldsmiths Hall is the 1682 copper plate made to start the recording process again. This has recently prompted a study by Dr David Mitchell, supported by Goldsmiths Hall, resulting in the publication of his 2017 “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. This reference work identifies previously unknown makers marks and assigns marks struck on existing plate to individuals (attributions for 540 separate marks).

The lovely tankard is in very good condition. Minor wear consistent with its extreme age. This tankard has been tested for water retention and does not leak.

Maker: Thomas Cooper

Thomas Cooper, London silver maker, apprenticed to Thomas Aylinge 1660, free 1668. Cooper bound 6 apprentices including Thomas Knott.

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