Expert: Martin G Roberts - 3/2/2009

Question
I have recently, (possibly wrongly) polished up two,what I can only assume to be pewter measuring jugs, (one has '2 decil' and the other has '1/2 liter' stamped on the handle). I would love to know more about their origin, other distinguishing marks are, what looks like an angel blowing a horn, stamped on the bottom and the letters z n a x z n a x stamped around the outside top of the jug. I do know that my parents brought these items over with them from Holland

Answer
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Hello Robert,

Without sight of these measures I cannot be sure, but they are most likely of the common French type, being cylindrical with square handles. These metric measures are from the 19th and 20th Centuries, with late reproductions being very common too. They were used in France, parts of the Low Countries, and parts of Spain. The letter stamps are capacity verification marks. The touchmark of an angel is the commonest device in Continental European pewter, variations being used by hundreds of pewterers, and such marks are still in use.

Given the plethora of verifications, I'd say these are most likely authentic.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk