A Charles II silver-gilt tankard

A Charles II silver-gilt tankard,

maker's mark of T.C with a fish above, London 1678,

slight tapering circular form, later fluted decoration, scroll handle, the cover with a scroll thumb-piece, the front with a later embossed and engraved armorial within foliate scroll mantling, height 17cm, approx. weight 31.3oz.

Provenance: The Highly Important Collection of Old English and Foreign Silver, The Property of William Randolph Hearst Esq., removed from St. Donat's Castle, Wales, Messrs. Christie, Manson and Woods, 14 December, 1938, lot 72.

The arms are those of Bertie, for those granted in 1550 to the father of Richard Bertie, MP for Lincolnshire, who married the daughter and sole heiress of Lord Willoughby de Eresby and widow of the Duke of Suffolk. His son's succession to the Willougby title was established and augmented in 1626 by the Earldom of Abingdon and in 1715 by the Dukedom of Ancaster and Kesteven.

By 1678 a succession of heads of this family had served the crown in distinguished court, diplomatic and military ranks, and in 1678 Robert Bertie, 3rd Earl of Abingdon had been a Privy Councillor and Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire since 1666 and Gentleman of the Bedchamber since 1674.

For maker's mark see Jackson's, Ian Pickford Edition, The Antique Collectors Club, 1989, page 133.