William III Britannia Standard Silver Dram Cup made in London in 1698 by Nathaniel Lock

A very fine and rare William III Britannia Standard Silver Dram Cup made in London in 1698 by Nathaniel Lock.

This very fine piece stands on an applied reeded ring foot and the baluster sides rise to a plain everted rim.  The lower half of the main body is decorated with a band of swirling lobes and flutes below a band of stylised foliate motifs.  The Cup displays two reeded scroll handles and the underside an exceptional set of marks and two sets of contemporary scratch engraved initials.  The marks have remained so crisp as the ring foot stops them from getting any wear.  This piece is in excellent condition and has a very good colour.

This is the earliest Dram Cup which we have offered over the years and it would have been used for a dram of something strong.  Nathaniel Lock was a prolific silversmith and specialised in the production of drinking vessels.  His first mark was entered in April 1697, with workshops in Blackwell Hall Court, Cripplegate.

Height: 1.5 inches, 3.75 cm.

Length, across the handles: 3.25 inches, 8.13 cm.

Weight: 3oz.

Price

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Stock number