Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1850s.
The upper rim is impressed with Customs & Excise stamps and “V.R” proof marks. 19ins diameter; 27ins across the handles; 9ins high.
There are many uses for this handsome measure: perhaps as an impressive planter or a wine cooler. Indeed the last one of these we stocked was sold to the owner of a wine bar to hold ice and open bottles of white or rosé wine.
These measures (they range from the Bushel ~ the largest ~ down to a Half-Gill) were used by Customs & Excise to check that market traders were not under-selling their customers. The penalties for doing so were usually a heavy fine, or for persistent offenders, banishment to a penal colony in Australia!
Quiet Street Antiques of Bath has dated this piece to the 1850s.
Fine antiques at sensible prices
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Quiet Street Antiques of Bath Profile Page
Imperial Bushel Measure for County of Somerset
