What is a georgian plate tankard?

A georgian plate tankard is a metal drinking vessel produced during the eighteenth or nineteenth century using silver plate or Old Sheffield Plate over a copper core. These pieces were built for serving ale and beer in homes and public houses, combining utility with formal Georgian style.

How do I use them today?

These vessels suit display on sideboards or open shelving, bringing historical texture to a dining room or bar area. While many remain structurally sound, owners typically treat them as decorative objects or functional pitchers rather than daily tableware.

How do I clean old silver plate?

Cleaning requires gentle cloths and non-abrasive silver polishes designed for plated items to avoid exposing the underlying copper base. Harsh scrubbing strips the thin silver layer, so careful maintenance preserves the historical surface finish.

What is Old Sheffield Plate?

Old Sheffield Plate is an early composite material created by thermally fusing silver and copper together before rolling them into sheets. This method differs from later electroplating by creating a thick, bonded layer that ages with a distinctive dual-metal character.