Object Description
A handsome early English silver mug of plain straight sided form with banding. Britannia standard silver. Excellent colour. No inscription. A nice detail is the decorative ribbed spine to the top of the handle.
Contains 650 ml.
Weight 439 grams, 14.1 troy ounces.
Height 13 cm (to top of handle).
London 1709.
Maker Robert Timbrell & Joseph Bell I.
*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.
ROBERT TIMBRELL AND JOSEPH BELL I
Robert Timbrell, London silversmith, apprenticed to Augustine Dudley 1678, free 1585/6. Court 1705. 1st mark entered as largeworker, undated, probably April 1697. 2nd mark also undated presumed after 1707, in partnership with his apprentice Joseph Bell I who was freed in October 1707.
Joseph Bell I, London silversmith, apprenticed to Robert Timbrell 1700, free 1707. Mark entered in partnership with Robert Timbrell as largeworkers, undated presumed after 1707. Livery 1712. 2nd mark alone as largeworker 1716. Court 1729.