Description

A rare early English silver cup of simple plain design. An excellent example. The round and weighted base allows the cup to stay upright when knocked from side to side. Good gauge silver and patina. It is interesting to see the early workmanship – the original hammered finish on the inside surface and the reinforced and weighted base.

Contains 150 ml.

Weight 103 grams, 3.3 troy ounces.

Height 5.1 cms. Diameter 7.25 cms.

London 1680.

Maker probably “DL”* (Jacksons page 131).

Sterling silver

Literature: Tumbler cups were made from the mid 17th century. They are very plain, small bowl shaped drinking vessels, and are hammered up from sheet silver of thick gauge 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. 17th century examples are often shallower and wider than those made in the 18th century.

Signed/Inscribed: *It is unusual to have a makers name for a piece of silver of this early date as there are no precise records of silver makers marks prior to 1681. All records were destroyed in the fire at Goldsmiths Hall in that year when the Assay Office and apartments of the Assayer and Clerk in the south west wing of the building were burned down. Sometimes the details of makers can be discovered from old records such as the inventories of noble houses and other institutions.