Description

A charming early English silver mug of plain form. The body is raised from sheet and has a simple strap handle and an incised, reeded neck. This is the earliest type of mug. Hand engraved to the front is a double crest.

Contains 550 ml.

Weight 271 grams, 8.7 troy ounces..

Height 11.1 cm. Diameter 6.5 cm.

Sterling silver.

London 1680.

Makers mark ‘SH’ conjoined (see Jacksons Page 137*), possibly St John Hoyte (see David Mitchell’s Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London page 488/9).

Signed/Inscribed: *It is unusual to have a maker’s 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 when the Assay Office and apartments of the Assayer and Clerk in the south west wing of the building were burned down. From 1697 onwards Goldsmiths Hall has preserved a complete record of workmen’s marks, addresses, together with their names and the dates. 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).

This delightful little silver cup is in very good condition. The engravings are still crisp. Stamped underneath with a full set of English hallmarks. Excellent colour.

Maker: St John Hoyte

St John Hoyte, London silversmith, apprenticed to Thomas King 1668, free 1676. Hoyte’s mark was struck on the 1682 Mark Plate. Livery 1685. Died 1693 and the mark of his widow Frances Hoyte appeared on plate from that time. Hoyte took 6 apprentices during his working career. Hoyte produced a large range of hollow wares including tankards, flagons and porringers and many chinoiserie decorated tankards, porringers salvers and tea cups.

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