Tankards & Mugs
Handsome antique silver tankards and mugs are very collectable. They make a stunning display and can be used and enjoyed over the passage of time. A perfect gift.
Antique sterling silver Tankards. This name is traditionally used for a single handed drinking vessel with a lid. Tankards are usually much bigger than mugs and sometimes have a quart capacity or more. The earliest date at which the familiar shaped tankard occurs is circa 1640 although these are exceedingly rare.
Antique silver Peg Tankards. The name ‘peg tankard’ is derived from the vertical row of cylindrical pegs soldered inside the tankard, used to measure the amount of alcohol drunk as the tankard was passed around the table. Each drinker could drink his allocated peg measure. The term ‘peg’ probably derives from the Danish measure ‘paegl’, roughly equivalent to a pint. Peg tankards have a long history in the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. In England peg tankards were made from the mid-1650s through to the 1680s in York, Hull and other north-eastern towns with close cultural links with northern Europe. They usually follow the Scandinavian form, incorporating floral engraving and pomegranate feet. There is a plain example similar to this in the Metropolitan Museum of Art ref: http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/195229.
Antique sterling silver Mugs. The term “mug” is traditionally used for a single-handed, lidless drinking vessel and these are nearly all of either pint or half pint capacity. They are rarely found as early as tankards, the first ones being circa 1680. Nowadays mugs are often referred to as “tankards”.
Antique sterling silver Christening Mugs. Small size mugs make a lovely gift for a baby.
Antique sterling silver Flagons. The earliest form of flagon used for serving wine, beer and other cold drinks date from the late 16th and early 17th century. These are extremely rare and would originally have had a companion dish or basin. Large cylindrical flagons with hinged covers were mainly made for church use and date from the second half -of the 17th century through to the 19th century.
Tankards & Mugs
Handsome antique silver tankards and mugs are very collectable. They make a stunning display and can be used and enjoyed over the passage of time. A perfect gift.
Antique sterling silver Tankards. This name is traditionally used for a single handed drinking vessel with a lid. Tankards are usually much bigger than mugs and sometimes have a quart capacity or more. The earliest date at which the familiar shaped tankard occurs is circa 1640 although these are exceedingly rare.
Antique silver Peg Tankards. The name ‘peg tankard’ is derived from the vertical row of cylindrical pegs soldered inside the tankard, used to measure the amount of alcohol drunk as the tankard was passed around the table. Each drinker could drink his allocated peg measure. The term ‘peg’ probably derives from the Danish measure ‘paegl’, roughly equivalent to a pint. Peg tankards have a long history in the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. In England peg tankards were made from the mid-1650s through to the 1680s in York, Hull and other north-eastern towns with close cultural links with northern Europe. They usually follow the Scandinavian form, incorporating floral engraving and pomegranate feet. There is a plain example similar to this in the Metropolitan Museum of Art ref: http://www.metmuseum.org/collection/the-collection-online/search/195229.
Antique sterling silver Mugs. The term “mug” is traditionally used for a single-handed, lidless drinking vessel and these are nearly all of either pint or half pint capacity. They are rarely found as early as tankards, the first ones being circa 1680. Nowadays mugs are often referred to as “tankards”.
Antique sterling silver Christening Mugs. Small size mugs make a lovely gift for a baby.
Antique sterling silver Flagons. The earliest form of flagon used for serving wine, beer and other cold drinks date from the late 16th and early 17th century. These are extremely rare and would originally have had a companion dish or basin. Large cylindrical flagons with hinged covers were mainly made for church use and date from the second half -of the 17th century through to the 19th century.
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1659
Anthony Ficketts
9875 Commonwealth Silver Tankard
£15,950
A rare early English silver flat top lidded tankard with a cast, kidney shaped thumbpiece. The S-scroll handle has a shield terminal. Circa 1640 is the earliest date at which this tankard shape occurs and it’s unusual to find a tankard from this turbulent period and early date. Very charming, with hand beaten silver, the tankard displays a lot of character; a nice feature is the pointed front of the lid. Hand engraved to the front with a flat topped shield within ostrich plume feathers, a popular style of engraving from 1660-1690. Contains 1300 ml. Weight 763 grams, 24.5 troy ounces. Height 16.3cm (to top of thumb piece). Spread 15.7 cm. Diameter 11.4cm (inside top), 13.3 cm (base). London 1659. Maker Anthony Ficketts, attribution by David Mitchell “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. Sterling silver.
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1678
10435 Charles II Antique Silver Tankard
£22,500
An exceptional example of early English chinoiserie silver. A finely engraved tankard with the flat hinged lid and “S” scroll handle typical of the period. Large size and good heavy weight. The body and lid are beautifully flat chased in the Chinese style with oriental figures, a snake-coiled fountain, a temple and exotic birds all within a fantastical forest landscape. The plain scroll is pricked with initials “B.I.M”. Contains 1500 ml. Weight 804g, 25.8 troy oz. Height 17.7cm (to top of thumb piece), 7ins. Spread 19.5cm, 7.7ins. Diameter 14cm (top), 5.5cm. London 1678. Maker “RH”. Sterling silver.
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1680
John Ruslen
10242 Charles II Antique Silver Tankard
£7,750
A good early English silver lidded tankard with the flat top design of the period and a scroll handle with decorative thumb piece. Large size. To the front is a crisp hand engraved armorial capped by the crest of a lion holding a serpent and with a motto below – for the Leche family. There is an owl crest engraved to the lid. An excellent example of early hand beaten silver with lots of character. Contains 1450 ml. Weight 852 grams, 27.3 troy ounces. Height 18 cm. Spread 21.3 cm. London 1680. Maker “IR” (see Jacksons page 130), probably John Ruslen (see David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”.
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1684
Peter Monger
10247 Charles II Antique Silver Mug
£4,750
A rare 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, made completely by hand, and showing traces of the original hand beaten silver. Hand engraved to the front is a lion crest. Contains 520ml. Weight 210 grams, 6.7 troy ounces. Height 16cm. Diameter 7.7cm. Spread across handle 13.2cm. London 1684. Maker Peter Monger. Sterling silver. 17th century.
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1686
Thomas Cooper
9938 James II Antique Silver Tankard
£7,950
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.
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1692
John Cruttall
10355 William and Mary Antique Silver Mug
£3,350
A charming piece of chinoiserie silver. A rare early antique silver tankard of straight sided form with bands of reed to the top and a simple strap handle. Small size. The hand engraved decoration has a naive oriental scene incorporating Chinese people and exotic birds. To the front is a vacant cartouche with intertwined foliage. Contains 160ml. Weight 280g, 9 troy oz. Height 8.8cm. Diameter 7.4cm (top). London 1692. Maker John Cruttall. Sterling silver.
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1693
George Manjoy
9539 William & Mary Antique Silver Miniature Mug
£2,350
A delightful little collector’s piece. This rare miniature (or toy) mug is an exact copy of a full size original. Of globular form it has a reeded and incised neck, and double scroll handle. This style was only made for a short period at the end of the 17th century and is the earliest type of mug you are likely to come across. The body is engraved with an exotic bird and leafy branches. Weight 14 grams, less than 1/2 troy ounce. Height 3.5cm. Spread 4.9cm. London 1693. Maker George Manjoy, a specialist toy maker.
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1694
John Cory
9987 William & Mary Antique Silver Childs Mug
£3,350
A charming little early English silver mug of plain form. Charming small size and suitable for a child/christening mug. The body is raised from sheet and has a simple strap handle and an incised, reeded neck. This is the earliest type of mug. Engraved to the underside are owner’s initials and the date “1695”. Contains 140 ml. Weight 60 grams, 1.9 troy ounces. Height 6.5cm, 7cm to top of handle. Diameter 5cm. Mark “I.C” in a shield with a pellet below. Possibly John Cory. London 1694. Sterling silver.
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1699 - 1702
Thomas Parr
10415 William III Antique Silver Chocolate Cup
Sold
A charming little collector’s item. This antique silver mug dates from the early 1700’s and has a plain form with straight tapering sides. The dark wooden side handle indicates that the cup was intended for a hot beverage such as chocolate, a fashionable drink at this time. Made of unusually heavy gauge, hand beaten silver, the mug is very sturdy and usable. Hand engraved to the front is a family crest. Contains 290ml. Weight 179g, 5.75 troy oz. Height 8cm. Diameter 6.6cm (top), 7.3cm (base). London 1698/1702. Maker Thomas Parr I. Britannia standard silver, high purity 95.8%. Scratchweight 5=14.
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1701
Seth Lofthouse
10234 William III Antique Silver Tankard
£6,500
A good early English silver flat lidded tankard. Britannia standard silver*. Lovely plain design and hand beaten silver. The tankard has a simple straight sided form and S scroll handle finishing in a decorative thumb piece with shell decoration. Hand engraved to the front there is a large decorative cartouche containing an armorial. Good patina. An interesting feature is the royal stamp for ‘William Rex’ on the reverse side of the body. Contains 1075 ml. Weight 759 grams, 24.3 troy ounces. Height 18 cms (to top of thumb piece). Spread 19cms. Diameter 10.8 cms (top). London 1701. Maker Seth Lofthouse.
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1701
Humphrey Payne
9599 William III Silver Tankard
£4,250
A good early English antique silver tankard with a flat lid. Britannia standard silver*. Lovely plain design and hand beaten silver. The tankard has a simple straight sided form and S scroll handle finishing in a decorative thumb piece. No engravings except the owner’s initials prick engraved to the handle. Contains 900 ml. Weight 624 grams, 20 troy ounces. Height 16.4 cm (to top of thumb piece). Spread 18.5 cms. Diameter 10.5 cms (top). London 1701. Maker Humphrey Payne.
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1705
William Denny
9945 Queen Anne Antique Silver Tankard
£7,500
An extremely large and imposing silver lidded tankard of tapering cylindrical form with a coopered band to the body. Britannia standard silver*. The embossed vertical fluting and bands of hand chased matted decoration are typical of the period. To the front is a hand engraved armorial within a large decorative cartouche. An unusual feature is the double thumb piece which attaches to both the handle and the lid. The handle has engraved owner’s initials. Good patina. Contains 1750 ml. Weight 1325 grams, 42.6 troy ounces. Height 21.2cm (to top of thumb piece). Diameter 12.8cm (top). Spread 23cm. London 1705. Maker William Denny.
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1708
Richard Bayley
10314 Queen Anne Antique Silver Mug
Sold
A large antique silver mug with a plain, straight sided, tapering form having concentric reeded bands and a simple scroll handle. Very heavy gauge silver. To the front is an impressive hand engraved armorial with the crest of a deer enclosed within an expansive cartouche. Contains 1100ml. Weight 590 grams, 18.9 troy oz. Height 14.6cm. Spread 18.2cm. Diameter 10.7cm (top), 12.6cm (base). London 1708. Maker Richard Bayley. Britannia standard silver. 18th century.
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1733
Richard Burcombe
9090 George II Antique Silver Tankard
Sold
An antique silver lidded tankard with domed lid. Lovely plain design with simple straight sided form. The body has a concentric reed ring to the base of the handle, the S scroll handle finishes in a decorative thumb piece. Uninscribed. Good patina. Owners initials hand engraved to the top of the handle. Contains 800 ml. Weight 587 grams, 15.5 troy ounces. Height 16 cms (to top of thumb piece). Spread 16.5 cms. Diameter 9.7 cms (top). London 1733. Maker Richard Burcombe. Sterling silver.
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1746
9922 George II Antique Silver Mug
£950
A good early English silver mug of baluster shape on a spreading foot. Nice chunky style. The plain features are typical of the period. Heavy gauge silver. Excellent colour. Unusual to find “WINE” stamped on the edge of the rim. Owner’s initials “MB” hand engraved to top of handle. Contains 450 ml. Weight 343 grams, 11 troy ounces. Height 11.8cm. Diameter 8.2cm (top), 8.9cm (base). London 1746. Maker’s mark badly struck. Sterling silver.
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1746
Robert Albin Cox
9937 George II Antique Silver Mug
£950
A plain antique sterling silver mug of baluster form with a shaped scroll handle with acanthus mount. Excellent quality. Good gauge silver and patina. Contains 450 ml. Weight 327 grams, 10.5 troy ounces. Height 12cm. Spread 12.2cm. Diameter 7.9cm. London 1746. Maker Robert Albin Cox. Sterling silver
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1746
Richard Gurney
9970 George II Antique Silver Mug
£950
An excellent quality antique silver mug of baluster shape on a spreading foot. Nice chunky style. The plain features are typical of the period. Hand engraved to the front with decorative cipher. Contains 550 ml. Weight 329 grams, 10.5 troy ounces. Height 12.3cm. Spread 12.5cm. Diameter 8cm (top), 9cm (base). London 1746. Maker Richard Gurney
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1748
Francis Crump
9697 George II Silver Mug
£950
A handsome antique silver tankard of large size and good weight. Of plain form with baluster shape and a shaped handle. Bright colour. Hand engraved to the front is a monogram in old fashioned script within a decorative cartouche. Contains 580 ml, over 1 imperial pint. Weight 325 grams, 10.4 troy ounces. Height 12.6cm. Spread 12cm. Diameter 8cm. London 1748. Maker probably Francis Crump. Sterling silver.
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1751
9927 George II Antique Silver Mug
£950
A handsome antique silver tankard of good size and weight. Of plain form with baluster form and acanthus leaf mounted handle. Nice colour. Contains 500 ml. Weight 333 grams, 10.7 troy ounces. Height 12.5cm. Spread 12.1cm. Diameter 8.3cm (top), 8.6cm (base). London 1751. Maker probably Thomas Mason. Sterling silver.
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1762
Samuel Whitford I
10309 George III Antique Silver Mug
Sold
A handsome antique silver mug of baluster form having a shaped scroll handle and spreading foot. Good size. Classic plain style. Contains 460 ml. Weight 321 grams, 10.5 troy ounces. Height 10.7cm. Spread 12.4cm. Diameter 8cm (top). London 1762. Maker Samuel Whitford I. Sterling silver. 18th century.
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1770
W & J Priest
8561 George III Antique Silver Lidded Tankard
£1,450
A good antique sterling silver tankard with domed hinged lid. Plain straight sided design with concentric rim and flared base. Acanthus decorated thumbpiece. There is a large contemporary monogram to the front in old fashioned cursive script. Contains 850ml. Weight 571 grams, 18.3 troy ounces. Height 18 cms. Spread 16 cms. Diameter of top 10 cms, base 11.25 cms. London 1770. Maker W & J Priest.
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1815
Rebecca Emes & Edward Barnard I
10251 George III Antique Silver Mug
Sold
An excellent quality antique silver child’s cup with a stylistic vine leaf decoration around the body and curled serpent handle popularised by the contemporary silversmith Paul Storr. Heavy cast silver. Original bright interior gilding. Contains 175 ml. Weight 174 grams, 5.5 troy ounces. Height 9.3cm (to top of handle). Diameter 6.9cm. London 1815. Maker Rebecca Emes and Edward Barnard. Sterling silver. 19th century.
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