William and Mary Antique Hull Silver Tumbler Cup

Object Description

A rare item of English provincial silver from Hull in the North of England. An antique silver tumbler cup of simple plain design. Good gauge silver and excellent patina. The round and weighted base allows the cup to stay upright when knocked from side to side. This example, typical of Hull silver tumblers, has a flatter base than those made in London. To the front is a hand engraved armorial with a badger crest for the Brooke family. To the reverse are owner’s initials “AD to IS”.

Contains 170 ml.
Weight 116 grams, 3.7 troy ounces.
Height 5.4cm. Diameter 7.3cm.
Hull circa 1690.
Maker Kath Mangy (Jacksons page 473).
Sterling silver

Marks. Stamped twice with the Hull mark “3 ducal crowns”. The maker’s mark is overstamped and unclear; in our opinion this is Kath Mangy’s mark 1680-97 (see image “Marks on Hull Plate”).

Armorial. The armorial is for Sir Richard Brooke, 2nd Baronet of Norton Priory in Cheshire. A full report is included in the images.

MAKER: Katherine Mangy

Kath(erine) Mangie or Mangy, widow of Edward Mangie (1634 – 1685).

Edward Mangie, aged 25, bought his Freedom of Hull and set up business in Church Lane, Hull. Possibly the son of Henry Mangie, a locksmith of York, whose uncle was a goldsmith (related to Thomas Mangy, York silversmith, active 1659-1683?). Edward married Katherine Spalding of York in 1661.

The Mangie workshop produced mainly tankards, tumbler cups and trefid spoons and also produced ceremonial maces for the Hull and Grimsby Corporations. After Edward’s death in 1685, his widow Kath continued the business, striking her own ‘KM’ mark. Their son Edward bought his Freedom and joined the firm in 1695. Kath died in 1725 and Edward junior carried on the business which was still operating in 1739.

Hull is a remote northern city with a history of silversmithing dating back to the 14th century and possibly before. Early examples had the letter “H” as town mark which was replaced in the 17th century by the arms of the town “three ducal coronets in pale”. When provincial silver marking was formally abolished in 1696 silversmiths were expected to send their wares for hallmarking at one of the official assay offices (London, Exeter, Chester, York, Norwich, Bristol and Newcastle). York was the nearest to Hull, and after York’s closure in 1714, silver would have been sent to Newcastle. Despite the act, many of the Hull silversmiths seem to have worked on regardless, although the majority were probably retailers rather than manufacturers.

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Object Literature

Tumbler cups were made from the mid 17th century. They are very plain, small bowl shaped drinking vessels, and are hammered up from sheet silver of thick gauge so that the sides become thinner towards the top and the rounded base would have the greater weight. When they are knocked over they will automatically right themselves. 17th century examples are often shallower and wider than those made in the 18th century.

Hull silver. Hull is a remote northern city with a history of silversmithing dating back to the 14th century and possibly before. Early examples had the letter “H” as town mark which was replaced in the 17th century by the arms of the town “three ducal coronets in pale”. When provincial silver marking was formally abolished in 1696 silversmiths were expected to send their wares for hallmarking at one of the official assay offices (London, Exeter, Chester, York, Norwich, Bristol and Newcastle). York was the nearest to Hull, and after York’s closure in 1714, silver would have been sent to Newcastle. Despite the act, many of the Hull silversmiths seem to have worked on regardless, although the majority were probably retailers rather than manufacturers.

Provenance. A similar Hull tumbler cup was sold at Bonhams auction in 2007.

Object Condition

This charming little silver cup is in very good condition. Excellent colour and original hand beaten finish. Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Object Details