25/01/2023
This is the first instalment of our “history of” series where we take a look into the history of silver mugs and tankards!
Silver mugs and tankards have been in production in England since the 16th century, with the earliest known example hallmarked in 1556.
But, what's the difference between a tankard and a mug?
A tankard is modelled on a beer mug and features a hinged lid. A mug is a cylindrical drinking cup with a handle but no lid. A tankard is a lidded drinking vessel. Although it seems strange now to drink out of a lidded vessel this was the norm until the second half of the 18th century. Perhaps this was because ceilings were not plastered underneath; so without a lid, you stood the risk of having dirt, straw and spiders dropping into your ale.
Has their usage changed throughout history?
The first "pots" (aka mugs) appeared in English taverns around 1650 and these early examples were tall with heavy banding, but around 1690-1700 mugs with plain bodies appeared.
Small mugs were made specifically for children with some 18th-century boarding schools listing a mug as a mandatory item that a boy should take to school. Most early examples of children's mugs are of a plain baluster shape, designed for their sturdiness and practicality, and in the 1760s a barrel-shaped design appeared, often simply decorated with engraved hoops.
Today, silver mugs and tankards are extremely popular among collectors for their historical inscriptions and the pleasure of drinking from them.
Want to add one to your collection?
Simply click the link to browse our stunning collection online or visit our store by Chancery Lane in London.
One of the most respected silver dealers in the UK, selling antique and modern silverware worldwide to private and corporate clients.
