George I Antique Silver Mug

Description

A very charming early English silver mug with a slightly baluster shape on a spreading foot. Small size, probably a child’s mug. Good plain style typical of the period. Excellent colour and weight. Large contemporary hand engraved armorial to the front. The name “Lettice Pardo” is inscribed to the underside. It’s nice to see the traces of the original hand beaten finish.

Contains 300ml.
Weight 267g, 8.5 troy oz.
Height 9cm, 3.5ins. Spread 11.2cm. Diameter of top 7.1cm.
London 1718.
Maker Anthony Nelme.
Britannia standard silver. High purity 95.8%.

Small size suitable as a baby gift.

Marks. Stamped to the body below the top rim with a full set of English silver hallmarks.

Inscribed to the base “Lettice Pardo”. We think this could be the second wife of Thomas Pardo (1650-1728) – Alderman twice Mayor of Kidwelly. There is a very touching story that Pardo’s first wife Elizabeth’s (1662- 1698) dying request was that he marry her close friend Lettice in order that she might look after their young children. Thomas died October 1728 Aged 78. Lettice died October 1728 Aged 81.

Britannia Standard silver is 95.8% pure. 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 pure. 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.

Literature. The term “mug” is traditionally used for a single-handed, lidless drinking vessel. They are nearly all of either pint or half pint capacity. Antique silver mugs are very rarely found as early as tankards, the earliest seeming to date from about 1680.

The sweet little mug is in very good condition with just a small amount of wear compatible with it's age. The engravings are still sharp.

Maker: Anthony Nelme

Anthony Nelme, London silver maker, apprenticed to Richard Rowley 1672, turned over to Isaac Dighton, free 1679/80. 1st mark (sterling) pre-1697, 2nd and 3rd marks (Britannia) undated, presumably 1697. There is a previous unregistered? sterling mark recorded by Jackson dated 1691/2. Assistant to the Court of the Goldsmiths 1703, warden 1717 and 1723. Died circa 1723. His work showed signs of Hugeunot influence and his considerable output included many municipal pieces such as maces, as well as toilet services and other large pieces. Anthony’s son Francis Nelme was apprenticed to his father 1712, free 1719. His first mark entered 1723, 2nd in 1739.

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern

All silverware on our website is checked thoroughly prior to offering it for sale and every product listing contains a condition report and details of the silver hallmarks.

All items offered on our website include:

• Free Shipping Worldwide
• Tracked and Insured
• 14 day no quibble money back guarantee
• We are accredited members of LAPADA and conform to their strict professional standards
• We dispatch 1-3 days after receiving cleared payments

More detailed information about deliveries, returns and how to pay is available in the Help section at the bottom of this page.