A George II sterling silver half-quart or pint tankard, London 1738 by Francis Spilsbury I (reg. 24^th July 1729)

of tapering cylindrical form upon a domed foot, the body with an applied central girdle, the hollow C scroll handle leading to a double domed hinged lid raised by a cast scroll thumbpiece. The front engraved with late 18^th century with ligatured initials TH in cursive script. Fully marked to the right of the handle and to the interior of the lid.

Height – 14.7 cm / 5.75 inches

Weight – 436 grams / 14.02 ozt

Tankards are traditionally of quart capacity, or two pints, these smaller half-quart tankards previously given the fanciful moniker of ‘lady’s tankards’ are much rarer. An example of 1719 was sold these rooms, 31 March 2021, lot 443 (£2000 incl. prem).