George III Silver Antique Porringer or Caudle Cup London 1764

Description

Heading : An 18th century antique porringer or caudle cup
Date : 1764
Period : George III
Origin : William & James Priest of London. England
Body : Two applied handles with reeded decoration. gadrooned decoration at the base and centre. Elaborate scroll cartouche containing the monogram WBC
Size : 10.6cm tall and 17cm handle to handle.
Condition : Age related wear as shown
Restoration : None
Weight : 292 grams (9.38 Troy ounces)

Additional information : Porringers were often given as gifts to women after childbirth as they were used in the late 17th century to serve mothers who were convalescing. Caudle is a mixture of wine or ale. spices and sugar.

This example has been engraved with a paragraph but it is rubbed beyond legibility

two-handled cups such as this were the most common type of vessel used to serve the consecrated wine in nonconformist worship. The use of ordinary domestic silver for the purposes of communion. instead of the standard altar plate. aided in distancing Nonconformists from the Anglican church.

References : http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O107170/communion-cup-madden-jonathan/