Two antique Victorian Pewter ale or spirit measures. Circa 1850-1890 Ref. MA36

Description: Two antique Victorian Pewter ale or spirit measures. Circa 1850-1890 Ref. MA36
Maker: English
Date: 1850-1890
History: Pewter has been used for hundreds of years. A very easily worked metal it is approximately 70% tin and 30% lead. (Todays pewter does not contain lead). Often used for plates, dishes, containers, tankards, spoons, forks etc, it was also commonly found as tankards and spirit measures in taverns. Around 1836, a capacity mark had to be stamped onto the article if used in taverns, usually marked in pints or gills or a percentage of a gills. Touch marks are often found, recording the name of the pewterer, the date of the factory, the reign of the king/queen etc. Later, in the case of taverns, a date stamp was introduced . This was a guarantee that the amount of spirit held in a measure had been officially checked .
Description: Two Pewter measures are on offer, the larger marked as Imperial, 1 gill, the crown and initials of Queen Victoria, the makers mark and the date stamps from 1893 to 1897. This does not indicate that the measure was made in 1893, many measures were made much earlier but this was when the date stamp was introduced. The smaller measure only has a 20 mark on it, possibly indicating a 1/5 of a gill (known as a shot).
Condition: Both measures are in good condition, but with the typical age related signs of wear.
Dimensions: The larger measure stands 7.5 cm in height, the smaller at 4.5 cm in height.

Price: R280 for both

Please note, I am NOT a qualified archaeologist/antiquarian and the description I have given is based on research of the subject.
This is a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE.

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