Antique William III Silver Lidded Tankard

Object Description

A good early English silver flat lidded tankard. Britannia standard silver*. Lovely plain design and hand beaten silver. The tankard has a simple straight sided form and S scroll handle finishing in a decorative thumb piece. Hand engraved to the front there is a decorative cartouche containing an armorial. Good patina. Contains 1150 ml. Weight 744 grams, 23.9 troy ounces. Height 18 cms (to top of thumb piece). Spread 19.5 cms. Diameter 11.5 cms (top), 12 cms (base). London 1700. Maker William Andrews.

Biography – William Andrews, London silversmith, either apprenticed to Daniel Goddard 1664 free 1672, or apprenticed to John East 1668. Mark entered as largeworker undated, probably 1697 on commencement of the register.

Object Literature

Literature – *Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

Object Condition

This excellent tankard is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. The engraving is still sharp. Stamped with a fully matching and clear set of silver marks to the body and lid, handle with maker’s mark. A nice feature are the tell-tale dents on top of the handle where the thumb piece has been touching for over 300 years. The hinge has a little movement where the pin has worn over the years.
Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Object Details