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Lot Essay
Recent considered opinion on the origin of such pear shaped vessels is that they are English. The body and base belong to a family of pear-shaped flagons made to English capacity standards, see the Journal of the Pewter Society, 2001-2, David Moulson, 'A Review of the known English Pear shaped flagons'. and 'Pear-shaped flagons are English', Philippe Boucaud, J of P.Soc, Spring 1982. See also the Museum of London exhibition. No.40 & 41. lots 76 & 147 in this sale, for flagons with similar lids and thumbpieces.
The vessel is similar to brass ewers from circa 1500. The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, possess a comparable brass ewer with a 'teat' spout and Hampton Court Palace a similar brass vessel with zoomorphic spout. A large number of similar spouts and body parts have been found by metal detectors in England.
The lot weighs two pounds conforming to Company's sizing of 1612 for 'spowt potts' of pint size.
Its capacity to the bottom of the spout of 16.6 fluid ounces is exactly an Old English Wine standard pint.
Its capacity to the top when the spout is taped is 20.3 fluid ounces - exactly an Old English Ale standard pint. The metal analysis of the vessel of 89 tin, 9.5 lead, 1 copper and impurities conforms with other vessels of the period and within the standard for 'pottes' laid down by the Craft of Pewterers in 1348.
The vessel is similar to brass ewers from circa 1500. The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, possess a comparable brass ewer with a 'teat' spout and Hampton Court Palace a similar brass vessel with zoomorphic spout. A large number of similar spouts and body parts have been found by metal detectors in England.
The lot weighs two pounds conforming to Company's sizing of 1612 for 'spowt potts' of pint size.
Its capacity to the bottom of the spout of 16.6 fluid ounces is exactly an Old English Wine standard pint.
Its capacity to the top when the spout is taped is 20.3 fluid ounces - exactly an Old English Ale standard pint. The metal analysis of the vessel of 89 tin, 9.5 lead, 1 copper and impurities conforms with other vessels of the period and within the standard for 'pottes' laid down by the Craft of Pewterers in 1348.