Object Description
A handsome early English silver mug with a slightly baluster shape on a spreading foot. Good plain style typical of the period. Excellent colour and weight. Large hand engraved crest to the front. Owners initials inscribed to the underside.
Contains 500 ml, just under 1 imperial pint.
Weight 343 grams, 11.02 troy ounces.
Height 12cm (to top of thumb piece). Spread 13cm. Diameter 8.5cm.
London 1719.
Maker Richard Bayley.
Britannia standard silver.
Britannia Standard silver is 95.8% pure. 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 pure. 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.
RICHARD BAYLEY
Richard Bayley was apprenticed to Charles Overing in 1699 and turned over to John Gibbons in 1704. Free 1706. First mark entered in 1708 at Foster Lane, London, 2nd mark 1720, third mark 1732. Warden of the Goldsmiths Company 1746-8. Prime warden 1751*. He was known for his good plain hollow-ware such as tankards, jugs, tea and coffee pots.
His son, Richard, was apprenticed to Samuel Spindler in 1713.