An extremely rare George III sterling silver double quart tankard, London 1770 by William and James Priest (reg. after 1764)

Of baluster form upon a spreading circular foot, the hollow section double C scroll handle with a heart shaped terminal, the hinged domed lid raised by an open chair back scroll thumbpiece. The front engraved with contemporaneous initials JWS in cursive script flourished. Fully marked underneath and to lid interior. Scratch weight underneath 44 oz “ 0 dwt “ 0 S, also with scratched initials AV in Romans script underneath.

Height – 23.8 cm / 9.38 inches

Weight – 1354 grams / 43.53 ozt

At twice the capacity of a normal large tankard by holding over four imperial pints, few of these vessels were made and were presumably for communal rather than individual use at gatherings.