Expert: Martin G Roberts - 5/26/2007

Question
Can you ID and date this tankard please?  It is pewter, lidded, and marked on the bottom.  Stamped England with a touchmark that looks like a hen with either feathers or a cockscomb on top of her head.  She sits in the middle of a short (height) crown with a shield in the background.  On both sides of the hen, I think as part of the crowns decor look like either chicks or shamrocks.  Very hard to tell as the mark is slightly faded.  There are 3 feathering things on both sides of the shield.  The other stamp is odd, it looks like a roll of hay or a curled wave with the letter I or L on the side.  I look forward to learning more about this item.  Thank you.

Answer
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This is a reproduction piece made 1920-60. If you have a digital camera, send me an image (to stynt@btopenworld.com), plus if possible close ups of the marks (please make sure they are in focus) and I shall tell you more about the shape and, possibly, the maker.

For info, marks UNDER the base are usually a sign of a problem, as is the use of the "England".

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk