Of heavy gauge silver,

the small cup of deep circular form,
having a rolled and gilt rim with gilt interior;
good marks verso, with the makers mark slightly rubbed to the top

Ref : A tot cup by James Goodwin, 1718, appears in
"The Albert Collection", Robin Butler, p. 125, #620.
James Goodwin worked on Foster Lane, subsequently Noble Street, from 1710-29.

One of the earliest records of tumbler cups is that of Samuel Pepys, on October 24, 1664.
He cites an odd alternate name - "cocking cups".
At that time, in the north-west of England,
these small cups were sometimes given as prizes given in cockfighting contests.

The earliest silver known tumbler cups still in existence date to 1671, at All Souls Oxford.
These early small, plain drinking cups were first popular at 17th century colleges,
(as Oxford) and intended to be emptied in a single draught.
The cups were hammered up from a single sheet of thick silver,
with a heavier rounded base and thinner sides.
This construction allowed the cup to right itself when knocked –
thus the name "tumbler", from the Germanic word for "acrobat".
This righting action was also useful to travelers of the day.

Condition : Overall very good; of heavy gauge, with expected wear to the gilding;
small nicks and scratches appropriate to age

1.5" High / 2" Wide / 1.4 oz.

PRICE : Please Inquire

#8027

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George I Silver Tumbler Cup, James Goodwin, London 1723  

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