Description

A good early English silver lidded tankard of tapering flat sided form with coopered banding. The S scroll handle finishes in a decorative thumb piece and has ornamental strap work. Britannia standard silver*. Uninscribed. Owners initials engraved on the handle. Good patina. Contains 1200 ml. Weight 764 grams, 24.5 troy ounces. Height 18.2 cm (to top of thumb piece). Spread 19.5 cm. Diameter 11.5 cm (top), 12.7 cms (base). London 1715. Maker Seth Lofthouse.

Literature: *Britannia Standard silver. 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.

This excellent tankard is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. Stamped with a full set of clear English silver hallmarks to the lid and body, makers mark on the handle. Good patina. 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: Seth Lofthouse

Seth Lofthouse, London silversmith, elder brother of Matthew Lofthouse, apprenticed to William Wakefield of the Merchant Taylor’s Company 1676. Freedom not recorded. Mark entered as largeworker in 1699. William Bellasis apprenticed to him in 1709. Listed as dead in the Haberdashers’ Company records of 1727.

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