Description

A fine antique silver porringer with bands of ribbing and bright cut engraving. Britannia standard silver. Good size. Hand engraved to the front within a decorative cartouche is the name Patience Larcombe with a vase of flowers and date 1709. Very good condition and patina.

Weight 358 grams, 11.1 troy ounces.

Height 12 cm. Diameter 13.5 cm. Spread 21 cm.

London 1704.

Maker Thomas Parr.

Literature: *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.

Porringers are two handled bowls and some have a cover. They can also be known as caudle cups although the origin of the porringer was for porridge and the caudle cup was for a type of broth. From the eighteenth century onwards, porringers and cups and covers were used mainly as centrepieces or ornaments. In recent times they have seen a resurgence in popularity for drinking and on the dining table. They make a very attractive baby gift.