DRINKING VESSEL

An incomplete cast pewter two-part handle from a drinking vessel (probably a tankard) of post-medieval date (c. 1650 - c. 1750). The handle is broken at the base, and the mechanism for lifting the lid survives but the lid itself is missing. The mechanism/lid consists of a tapering projection with three symmetrical grooves forming a V on each edge. The projection has evidence of old breaks measuring up to 2mm below the incised grooves which suggest that the tankard lid was possibly made out of pewter and was integrally cast to the mechanism. Above the tapering projection is a bifurcated thumb rest which is 22.85mm in length, 7.4mm wide and 16mm in height. This has incised decoration in the form of a V inside a V; one side of which is slightly abraded.

The handle is ear-shaped in profile and D-shaped in cross-section. It is convex on the inner face and flat on the outer face which has been stamped with an 'F'; the thickness of the handle ranges from 5.5mm to 2.7mm. At the top of the handle are two raised perforated semicircular lugs. Through these lugs the mechanism for lifting the lid is attached by a single cast copper alloy pin/bar of circular cross-section which is hammered flat at each end. Beyond The handle expands with the same cross-section and has broken at the junction with the body (15.6 by 7mm). The handle is 49.45mm in length and 29.55mm in width; the curvature of the handle does not allow many adult fingers to fit, consequently this raises the question of whether this handle part of a small tankard. Furthermore, the breaks around the projection suggest the thin lid of a small tankard.

The handle and the thumb rest (mechanism for raising and lowering the lid) are in good condition and are mainly mid/dark-grey in colour, corroded in places.