Object Description
This William III silver flat topped tankard was made in Exeter C1696 by John Dagge of Great Torringtion, it measures 6.25 inches tall by 8 inches from the back of the handle across and is 4.5 inches in dia across the top and 5 1/8 inches across the base it has reeding around the base rim and the top of the tankard and also around the lid rim and has a cast scrolled handle to the side with an unusual terminal at the bottom and the pin prick initials MT 1696 below the large hinge, it has a cast and scrolled thumb piece and is marked on the side with the makers mark and three marks to represent hallmarks and it is the same on the lid, these marks were added to have the look of a duty paid piece when in fact this tankard was either made and used by Dagge himself or someone who didn’t want to pay the duty. It is in very good condition and weighing 23.75 ounces or 737 grams, a nice early piece of west country silver by a maker who was better known for spoon making, the mark can be found in Tim Kents book of West Country Silver spoons and their makers on page 82.