Object Description
A rare early English silver drinking cup of tapering cylindrical form with a flared lip, central band and simple reeded foot. Very attractive size. The lower body has the deep embossed band of acanthus leaves, a popular decoration of the period. Hand engraved to the front are owner’s initials with the date 1701.
Contains 150ml.
Weight 101g, 3.2 troy oz.
Height 7.9cm. Diameter 6.8cm.
London 1697.
Maker William Andrews.
Britannia standard silver – high purity 95.8%.
Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks. Maker’s mark “AN” ascribed to William Andrews – page 154 Jackson’s “Gold & Silver Marks”.
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.
Maker: William Andrews
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.
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