A Sterling Silver One Gill Silver Tankard London 1818

Description

Heading : A quarter pint silver tankard
Date : Hallmarked in London for John Terrey in 1818
Period : George III
Origin : London England
Decoration : Engraved CF+S
Size :  Height 6.4cm. base diameter 6.0 cm
Condition : Excellent
Restoration : None
Weight :  106 grams ( 3.4 troy)

Naval grog is 1/8th a pint of rum diluted with two parts water. although this has a 1/4 pint capacity it cannot be discounted . It may have been engraved for a wedding and intended to be a christening present for a newborn. The antiseptic properties of silver were known for thousands of years. Teething toys. rattles and vessels from which an infant could drink were all made from silver. The concept of a christening silver tankard is not a new one but it being given just as a store of wealth is a 20th century invention. They were intended to be used.

This is a tankard and not a “mug”. The latter are used for hot drinks. With silver being an excellent conductor of heat the silversmith would not have added a silver handle. without heat breakers. This will make a fine christening gift or better still use for a large rum and shrub or grog!