Description

A good early antique silver tankard of cylindrical form with coopered bands and a shaped handle. Excellent plain styling. A nice detail is the decorative ribbed spine to the top of the handle. Uninscribed. Good colour. Owners initials “EH” etched to the top of the handle.

Contains 450 ml.

Weight 299 grams, 9.6 troy ounces.

Height 11.5 cm. Spread 13.cm. Diameter 8 cm (top).

London 1686.

Maker “IC” probably John Cruttall* (ref. Dr David Mitchell “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”).

Sterling silver.

Makers Marks. *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).

Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

Literature. The term “mug” is traditionally used for a single-handed, lidless drinking vessel. They are nearly all of either pint or half pint capacity. Antique silver mugs are very rarely found as early as tankards, the earliest seeming to date from about 1680

This superb mug is in very good condition for its age. Excellent colour. Marked underneath with a full set of clear English silver hallmarks. An attractive feature is the blobby mercury solder underneath which is completely original in the manufacture. There is a mark inside where the handle has pushed in a bit over the years. The mug has been water tested and does not leak. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: John Cruttall

John Cruttall, London silversmith, apprenticed to Francis Harris 1647, turned over to Daniel Rutty 1652, free 1655. During his career Cruttall bound 18 apprentices of whom 7 became free this unusually large number signifies a very active workshop. Described by David Mitchell as “a skilled as well as honest plateworker” Cruttall was employed by the goldsmith-banker Sir Stephen Evance (who subsequently became Jeweller to the King and was knighted). Cruttall died circa 1695.

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