Large George I Silver Mug


Date: 1715

Country: England

Stock: 9325

Description

An impressive early English silver tankard with straight sides and plain form. Britannia standard silver. Lovely hand beaten finish. Unusual large size. Good proportions and excellent colour. Contains 2 pints. Weight 525 grams, 16.8 troy ounces. Height 14 cms. Diameter of top 10.5 cms. London 1715. Makers mark rubbed.

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

Biography

Condition

This large and heavy tankard is in excellent condition with no damage or restoration. Stamped on the body with a full set of English silver hallmarks. The silver marks are good but the makers mark is rubbed which is more likely to happen with side struck marks. Uninscribed. 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.

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