Antique Quaich
An antique quaich is a traditional Scottish two-handled drinking vessel designed for whisky, offering a tangible connection to Highland heritage.
Antique Quaich
An antique quaich is a shallow, circular drinking bowl flanked by two opposing handles known as lugs, traditionally used for offering a welcoming dram of whisky. These vessels appear in various forms on this page, ranging from traditional Scottish designs to English barware iterations and continental European adaptations.
What varies in quality
Quality in these pieces is dictated by the weight of the metal, the crispness of the hallmarks, and the balance of the lugs relative to the bowl. Heavier silver examples demonstrate a more substantial physical presence, whereas lighter pieces rely solely on surface decoration.
The distinction between standard commercial production and pieces bearing identifiable maker marks or specific stylistic movements shapes the character of each item. Hand-finished details on planished surfaces or complex mounts on horn bodies elevate the craftsmanship significantly.
Antique Quaich Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for quaich among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings span periods from the nineteenth century through the 1960s, featuring materials such as sterling silver, pewter, and natural horn.
Brook & Son·R E Stone·Nathan & Hayes·Josiah Williams & Co·Pierre Fournerot·Mackay & Chisholm·Liberty Pewter Tudric
The Antique Quaich Glossary
- Lug
- The flat handles projecting from opposite sides of the bowl. They allow the drinker to hold the vessel securely with both hands.
- Planished
- A surface texture created by repeated light hammer blows during the final shaping process. This technique leaves a subtle, faceted pattern across the metal.
- Porringer
- A small, shallow vessel with one or two handles, often functionally similar in form to certain open bowls. It shares a domestic history with drinking and dining wares.
- Barware
- Items intended for the preparation, serving, or consumption of alcoholic drinks. Quaichs frequently serve this modern functional category.
- Staved
- Construction method using vertical wooden or metal staves bound together, referencing the earliest ancestral forms of these drinking vessels.
Antique Quaich: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a quaich used for?
A quaich is traditionally used for sharing a dram of whisky among friends or at gatherings. The two-handled design requires both hands to hold it, a gesture of trust and fellowship.
In modern settings, collectors utilise them as decorative barware or display pieces. Some smaller variants also function as novel salt cellars or christening bowls.
How do you hold an antique quaich?
You hold the vessel by placing your thumbs and forefingers on the two opposing lugs. This traditional grip ensures stability while drinking from the shallow bowl.
Historically, holding the handles with both hands left the drinker's hands occupied and unable to reach for weapons, cementing the vessel as a symbol of hospitality and trust.
How can I tell the age of a silver quaich?
You determine the age of a silver piece by examining the stamped hallmarks and maker marks on the metal. These official stamps record the assay office, standard of silver, and a date letter corresponding to the exact year of production.
Stylistic indicators, such as the distinct aesthetic of Arts and Crafts planishing or Edwardian proportions, also help narrow down the period of manufacture.