Item number: 59049
A large George III sterling silver mug,
London 1777 by John King
The body standing on a flared base ring and narrowing towards the top rim. The lower third of the body is divided by a profiled ring. The handle with an subtle and probably contemporary monogram to the top.
Beautifully shaped, almost modern-looking sterling silver mug of the 18th century in excellent condition and good size. The surface in very good condition with the original martelé on all sides, which proves that the mug was never monogrammed on the body which would have been polished out later. Worth mentioning also its good gauge and the notable capacity.
14.6 cm / 5.74″ tall, 11.8 cm / 4.64″ diameter (base), 9.6 cm / 3.77″ diameter (top rim); 546.2 g / 17.56 oz, 0,82 ltr. capacity
John King apprenticed with Henry Brind in 1750, moved to the silversmith William Shaw in 1751, and got free in 1757. According to the first entry in the silversmith’s register, he is listed as a silversmith specialising in flatware, then in 1775 with a new master’s mark as a silversmith for hollowware. Accordingly, it is mainly spoons, mugs and beer mugs that have come down to us from John King. His son Joseph was apprenticed to him in 1780.