A rare mid-18th century pewter Jersey lidded measure, circa 1750


Of unusual 1½ pint capacityThe body of typical plain form, having a long waisted neck and bulbous 'belly', a heart-shaped lid, twin-acorn thumbpiece, single flanged hinge, and strap-like handle, stamped 'GR' verification mark twice to rim, scratched capacity mark '1½' to both the lid and body, 20.7cm high
|Literature:Discussed and illustrated in an article by A. O. Henkemans, The Journal of the Pewter Society Autumn 1988, Vol. 6, No. 4., pp. 140-141Jersey measures, both lidded and unlidded, typically have six holding capacities, namely a pot; quart; pint; half-pint; noggin and half-noggin. So it would appear that a Jersey measure of 1½ pint capacity is extremely rare. The height of this lot, however, initially gives the impression of a Jersey quart, which may account for 1½ being twice scratched on the piece. It is also interesting to note that this 'unique' capacity must have been officially accepted as the verification 'GR' mark is present.