Description

A good antique silver tankard with domed hinged lid. Plain straight sided design with concentric rim and flared base. Acanthus decorated thumbpiece. There is a large contemporary cypher to the front in old fashioned cursive script.

Contains 850ml.
Weight 571 grams, 18.3 troy ounces.
Height 18 cms. Spread 16 cms. Diameter of top 10 cms, base 11.25 cms.
London 1770.
Maker W & J Priest.
Sterling silver.
18th century.

Marks. Stamped with a good set of clear English silver marks on the body next to the handle, the lid has the maker’s mark stamped 4 times, handle unmarked.

Cyphers. Cyphers are attractive designs of interlaced and reversed letters, fashionable towards the end of the 17th century and beginning of the 18th century. Benjamin Rhodes, a famous goldsmith/engraver of that period (apprenticed to David Venables, goldsmith in 1670, free in 1678) published his “New Book of Cyphers” in 1723 containing a comprehensive set of cypher designs in alphabetical sequence.

This tankard is in very good condition. Crisp engraved monogram to the front. Colour bright.  Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Slight indentations can be seen inside where the handle meets the body. A few old dents showing on the handle.

Maker: W & J Priest

William and James Priest (Preist) were brothers and working London silversmiths during the mid to late 1700's. William Priest, apprenticed to Richard Gurney in 1740, free 1749. 1st and 2 marks entered as largeworker in 1749 and 1750 in partnership with William Shaw. Livery 1758. 3rd mark with his presumed brother James Priest in 1764. Died circa 1801-1811. James Priest, apprenticed to William Priest in 1750, free 1764. His mark was entered shortly after in partnership with William Priest and the presumed brothers are recorded as working together from 1764-1773. James' son James Hammond Priest was apprenticed to him in 1783.

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