Antique English Oak and Silver Plate Tankard, Sheffield
Antique English Oak and Silver Plate Tankard, Sheffield
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Coopered oak tankard with silver plate mounts, made in Sheffield around the turn of the century and marked JB & S on the base with a Sheffield silverplate maker's punch. The mark and arrangement match Jonathan Bell & Sons of Sheffield, registered circa 1897, though I have not confirmed this absolutely. The body is built like a small barrel from staves of English oak, bound with three polished silver plate hoops secured by rivets and capped at the top with a silver plate rim. The handle is a clean S-curve in silver plate with a generous thumbpiece, and a blank shield cartouche on the front waits for an engraved monogram, presentation date, or initials. These were sold as wedding, christening, and Christmas gifts for use with ale or cider, and most surviving examples come engraved. This one does not, which is a small thing but a real one for anyone who wants to use it as-is or add their own family detail.
The tankard is in good antique condition with honest age-appropriate wear. The oak staves are sound and tight, with light separation visible between several of the boards. This is normal shrinkage from a century of seasonal humidity changes and not structural cracking. The silver plate mounts, including the rim, three hoops, scroll handle, and shield cartouche, are all in place and securely fastened. The plate shows soft tarnish and a warm patina across the surface, with light surface scratches and small dings consistent with use. The shield cartouche is blank and un-engraved on the front. The interior shows the expected aged tarnish to the silver plate, with no holes, splits, or active corrosion. The base hallmarks are legible. No repairs or replacements detected.
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All antique and vintage items are shipped from our warehouse in Bluffdale, Utah. Each piece is carefully packed by hand using archival materials and custom crating when necessary.
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Every antique and vintage item we carry has lived a life before arriving in your home. These are not factory-made products. They are objects with history, character, and the marks of time.
Age-appropriate wear, patina, minor imperfections, and signs of previous use or repair are inherent to antique and vintage items and are not considered defects. These characteristics are part of what makes each piece unique and are often what give it its beauty and value.
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