A RARE, POSSIBLY UNIQUE, EARLY EXAMPLE OF A PEWTER SPIRE FLAGON

A RARE, POSSIBLY UNIQUE, EARLY EXAMPLE OF A PEWTER SPIRE FLAGON

BRISTOL, C.1710

Batcheler workshop, Bristol, the ‘French Armes’ touch in the base suggest Honor Batcheler, neé French, widow of John Batcheler (fl.1676-1708) as the maker, highly unusual spout, a detachable rather than hinged lid, with integral spout cover and a decoration border around the finial, the bold 'C'-curve hollow handle with uncommon raised decorative to the thumbrest and spade terminal, the drum base inset slightly from the foot rim so the bulbous lower body and most of the concave foot are part of the interior

capacity 47.5 fl oz., 22.5cm high

Provenance

The Carl Ricketts Collection of Pewter.

Catalogue Note

The ‘high band’ to drum suggests this ecclesiastical flagon was made from moulds originally intended to make mugs.

Literature

Illustrated and discussed, ‘Journal of the Pewter Society: ‘Early Example of a Bristol Marked Spire Flagon’, Autumn 2024.