Engraved Victorian Serving Rummer With Coin c1840

Description

Heading : 19th century serving rummer
Date : c1840 and later engraved
Period : Victoria
Origin : England
Colour : Clear
Bowl : An ovoid bowl engraved with a band of fruiting vine and a floral wreath containing the message. Presented to Mrs Stansfield October 6th 1883 with compliments of W.F
Stem : Large hollow ball knop which contains a four pence dated 1836
Foot : Conical
Pontil : Polished
Glass Type : Lead
Size : 21.4cm tall with a 17.1cm rim and a 13.2cm foot
Condition : Excellent. no chips or cracks
Restoration : None
Weight : 989 grams

Additional information : The colour of the glass. tool marks and it’s form is absolutely consistent with the date of the coin. We can only offer a little conjecture as to the significance of the engraving.

The absence of any christian name of initial for Mrs Stansfield indicates that the relationship beween donor and recipient was a formal one. The forty seven years between the date of the coin and the date engraved is also significant.

As any fan of Downton Abbey will tell you a 19th century housekeeper was known as Mrs surname irrespective of her marital status. Their christian name was never used. Other female servants woud be known by the surname alone. be they in the scullery or the nursery.

Forty years and more in service at one of the great houses starting as a maid perhaps and progressing to housekeeper is not only plausible it was commonplace. part of the natural progression within a hierarchy of servitude. A quick search of the 1881 census in London returns four ladies all by the name of Stansfield in service and two whose profession is housekeeper !

Thus we postulate on the information available this is most likely a parting or retirement gift to a retiring housekeeper. The irony in giving a housekeeper a serving rummer from which they may serve themselves in their dotage or indeed have someone serve them inturn is quite appealing.