Description

An excellent early English sterling silver cup of simple plain design. A lovely piece of hand beaten silver. Britannia standard silver*. There is a hand engraved inscription to one side for De Maesmoy, probably from the Welsh village of this name. Good gauge silver. Contains 100 ml. Weight 58 grams, 1.8 troy ounces. Height 5 cms. Diameter 6 cms. London 1710. Maker possibly Overing.

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 and is always prized.

Tumbler cups were made from the mid 17th century. They are made from thick gauge sheet silver which was hammered up so that the sides become thinner towards the top and the rounded base would have the greater weight. When they are knocked over they will automatically right themselves.