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Antique English Pewter Mug Tankard ca. 1860 RARE Transitional Maker Stamp
Small antique English pewter tankard by James Yates, successor to Yates & Birch, Birmingham. The body is stamped in three lines: “James Yates / Late / Yates & Birch,” and "PINT" to the right, a rare transitional mark used for a short period after the dissolution of the earlier partnership in 1860.
The covered tankard. a rare form from this period, stands approximately 5.5 inches high, including the lid. It has a plain, slightly tapered body with a simple strap handle and hinged pewter lid, typical of mid-Victorian pub wares.
The cover and handle retain a darkened applied finish, a traditional treatment used on pewter to tone selected areas and create contrast with the lighter body. This finish has developed into a rich, even patina, with natural wear to the high points.
Dating to circa 1860, this example represents a brief production period when James Yates identified his wares as the successor to Yates & Birch. Pewterware bearing this full transitional mark is quite a rarity, especially lidded tankards.
Scratchy incised text on the underside made decades after this tankard was made reads: Mary Hansell, XMAS 1909. The hinge of the lid rattles slightly.
A solid example of mid-19th-century English tavern pewter, showing honest use and attractive surface character, and with the rare maker's mark.
A nice find!
