What is a christening mug?

A christening mug is a small silver vessel presented as a traditional gift to mark an infant's baptism or naming ceremony during the nineteenth century. These pieces were often kept as lifetime mementos rather than used for daily dining. Many examples feature decorative handles and personalized engraving recording the child's birth or baptism date. They represent a distinct subcategory within larger drinking vessels of the period.

Were these tankards used for drinking?

Pint tankards and larger vessels served as functional drinking containers for beer, ale, and cider in domestic and club settings. Their solid silver construction made them suitable for everyday hospitality. Over time, many larger tankards transitioned into presentation pieces awarded for sporting achievements or military service. Engraved inscriptions often record these specific historical uses.

How do I read a silver hallmark?

British hallmarks consist of a sequence of small stamped symbols identifying the standard of the metal, the town where it was tested, and the year of manufacture. A leopard head or crown often designates the assay office, while a specific letter code indicates the exact year. Consulting standard date tables allows you to match the stamped letter to the correct Victorian decade. Maker's marks alongside these symbols reveal the workshop responsible for the piece.

What does a glass base mean?

A glass base involves a thick disk of clear glass fitted into the bottom of a silver tankard rather than a solid silver floor. This construction style appeared during the nineteenth century for specific drinking vessels. The inclusion of glass allows the drinker to see the contents and adds distinctive weight to the base of the mug. These pieces combine traditional silversmithing with glass-working techniques.

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A victorian sterling silver tankard carries the weight of nineteenth-century ceremony, offering a substantial drinking vessel shaped by decades of dining and presentation.

Early Victorian Silver Tankard Christening Mug London 1846

19th century

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Early Victorian Silver Tankard Christening Mug London 1846

From Aramis Antiques

£225

3+ MONTHS AGO

silver

19th century

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A Silver Mug

From Devonshire Antiques

£475

3+ MONTHS AGO

silver

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Victorian Sterling Silver Tankard

Early Victorian Silver Tankard Christening Mug London 1846

A Silver Mug

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