SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY IN THE MANNER OF JOHN HEANEY

Conventionally this type of flagon has been described as an Irish flagon. Although the style is very similar to 18th century Irish silver examples the most recent research has indicated that such flagons only seem to have been made in Dublin (Types of Irish Pewter published in 2005 by the National Museum of Ireland and the author, David Hall). There seem to have been only one or two sets of moulds available for making these flagons which were passed from generation to generation over a considerable period. The pewterers who owned the moulds are believed to have made flagons for others to sell and mark. This seems likely in this case as the mark is probably that of Michael and James Burley who are mentioned in a Trade Directory in 1810.