Silver Lidded Tankard
A silver lidded tankard is a covered drinking vessel built for heavy use, combining solid metal or plated surfaces with hinged lids.
Silver Lidded Tankard
A silver lidded tankard meets the eye as a substantial drinking vessel, usually cylindrical or slightly tapering, fitted with a hinged cover and a sturdy handle. The forms seen here range from Georgian sterling silver examples to later plated versions and glass bodies mounted in metal.
The versions most likely to appear on this page span the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, alongside revival styles and twentieth-century pieces. Makers utilised materials from sterling silver to Old Sheffield Plate and silver plate to construct these robust vessels.
Materials and Construction
Silversmiths hammered or cast sterling silver into thick walls capable of supporting sturdy hinged lids and heavy handles. For plated pieces, workers fused silver sheet to copper bars through Old Sheffield Plate techniques or applied silver layers over base metals and glass.
Lids require precise hinge fitting and thumbpieces to allow easy opening while maintaining a secure closure against the rim. Interiors often show gilding or plain metal finishes suited for ale, beer, or cider.
Silver Lidded Tankard Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver lidded tankard 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.
Some historical tankards contained internal wooden pegs so drinkers could measure their precise alcohol intake during rowdy tavern wagers.
Markers of Quality
The weight and thickness of the metal dictate the tactile substance of the vessel, separating substantial pieces from lighter items. Superior examples display crisp chasing, well-balanced handles, and tight hinge joints that operate without lateral play.
Provenance and marks influence the standing of a piece, with clear town marks, maker stamps, and legible dates marking higher workshops. The integration of mounts onto glass or ceramic bodies demands precise craftsmanship to ensure durability.
John Payne·Thomas Whipham·Watts and Harton·Elkington
The Silver Lidded Tankard Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A composite material made by fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper base. It shows a characteristic thin silver layer where the underlying copper occasionally peeks through at edges.
- Thumbpiece
- The small lever attached to the lid near the handle that allows the user to open the cover with a thumb. It provides both mechanical leverage and decorative punctuation.
- Peg Tankard
- A drinking vessel featuring interior vertical pegs spaced at regular intervals to measure consumption during drinking games. Participants aimed to drink down to the next peg in a single turn.
- Sterling Silver
- An alloy consisting of ninety-two point five percent silver and seven point five percent other metals, usually copper. This standard ensures the necessary rigidity for drinking vessels.
Silver Lidded Tankard: Frequently Asked Questions
What were silver lidded tankards used for?
These vessels served as drinking containers for ale, beer, and cider during communal meals and gatherings. The attached lid kept contents covered between draughts.
Larger versions also functioned as presentation pieces, shooting trophies, or civic gifts.
How do I date a silver lidded tankard?
Dating relies heavily on hallmarks stamped into the metal, which record assay offices, date letters, and maker marks. Stylistic shifts between periods, such as George II body shapes versus Victorian ornamentation, offer further clues.
Unmarked plated items require assessment through construction methods, handle design, and mounting styles.
How do I clean silver plate and sterling silver?
Maintenance involves gentle washing in warm soapy water using a soft cloth to remove surface dust. Avoid abrasive dips or harsh scrubbing that can wear down thin silver plating.
Store pieces away from direct sunlight and damp environments to slow natural tarnishing.
What is Old Sheffield Plate?
Old Sheffield Plate is an early fusion method where silver and copper are heated and rolled together into sheets. This technique predates electroplating and creates a distinct layered material structure.
Pieces made this way often reveal a faint copper line along cut edges.