Description

A rare early antique sterling silver tankard with straight sides and a simple strap handle with a beaded rat tail. Large size. Decorated with bands of reed to the top and a band of hand engraved stars/fleur de lys over an embossed fluted panel to the lower body. Excellent colour. To the front is an engraved monogram. Height 9.5 cms. Diameter 9.0 cms (base).

Contains 450 ml, ¾ pint.
Weight 224 grams, 7.2 troy ounces.
London 1694.
Maker “HO”* see Jacksons Page 147.
Sterling silver

Literature: *There are no precise records of silver makers’ marks prior to 1697. All records were destroyed in the fire at Goldsmiths Hall in 1681 when the Assay Office and apartments of the Assayer and Clerk in the south west wing of the building were burned down. From 1697 onwards Goldsmiths Hall has preserved a complete record of workmen’s marks, addresses, together with their names and the dates. Sometimes the details of makers can be discovered from old records such as the inventories of noble houses and other institutions.

The first surviving record at Goldsmiths Hall is the 1682 copper plate made after the fire to start the recording process again. This has recently prompted a study by Dr David Mitchell, supported by Goldsmiths Hall, resulting in the publication of his 2017 “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”. This reference work identifies previously unknown makers marks and assigns marks struck on existing plate to individuals (attributions for 540 separate marks).