A mid-19^th century Indian Colonial silver covered beaker, Madras circa 1840 by George Gordon & Co (active 1821-48)

Of tapering cylindrical form with a moulded rim, the gently domed pull off cover surmounted with a ball finial with a ring attachment. The beaker and lid engraved with an initial B in flourished cursive script. Marked underneath only with GG&Co.

Height – 12.5 cm / 5 inches

Weight – 230 grams / 7.39 ozt

It has been suggested that the ring attachment in the ball finial means this beaker was part of a traveling canteen, as the ring in finial is not present on the other covered beaker illustrated in Wilkinson W., Indian Colonial Silver – European Silversmiths in India and their marks (1790-1860), (1973), London: W.R.T. Wilkinson (including one from the same firm illustrated page 48, fig. A.62).