Commemorative Mug
1851-1852 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The mug is a form developed at the end of the 17th century and became very popular in the Victorian period. It was used to consume a much wider range of drinks than the 'small beer' (a weak, poor-quality beer drunk in place of water) of previous generations. In silver, a number of new styles, as well as revived designs, were added to the variety of mug shapes and patterns.
Trading
The silver trade specialised in presentation and commemorative pieces during the Victorian period. Smith & Nicholson, who made this mug, showed presentation silver at the Great Exhibition. Similar mugs may have been shown on their stand, as examples of souvenirs of the highest quality, and may have been sold to the wealthiest of the exhibition's visitors.
Historical Associations
The mug commemorates the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is engraved with a design of the Crystal Place, which housed the exhibition. The Crystal Palace was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton (1801-1865), a horticulturalist, garden designer and architect. Erected in Hyde Park, London, it covered 18 acres and was built from sheet glass, wood and metal. When opened to the public on 1 May 1851, it received great praise. As one of the most innovative and impressive buildings of its day, it was a fitting subject for commemorative wares.
The mug is a form developed at the end of the 17th century and became very popular in the Victorian period. It was used to consume a much wider range of drinks than the 'small beer' (a weak, poor-quality beer drunk in place of water) of previous generations. In silver, a number of new styles, as well as revived designs, were added to the variety of mug shapes and patterns.
Trading
The silver trade specialised in presentation and commemorative pieces during the Victorian period. Smith & Nicholson, who made this mug, showed presentation silver at the Great Exhibition. Similar mugs may have been shown on their stand, as examples of souvenirs of the highest quality, and may have been sold to the wealthiest of the exhibition's visitors.
Historical Associations
The mug commemorates the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is engraved with a design of the Crystal Place, which housed the exhibition. The Crystal Palace was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton (1801-1865), a horticulturalist, garden designer and architect. Erected in Hyde Park, London, it covered 18 acres and was built from sheet glass, wood and metal. When opened to the public on 1 May 1851, it received great praise. As one of the most innovative and impressive buildings of its day, it was a fitting subject for commemorative wares.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver, parcel-gilt and engraved |
| Brief description | Silver, parcel gilt, London hallmarks for 1851-2, mark of Smith and Nicholson |
| Physical description | Silver, cylindrical beaker with a slightly evetred lip, rounded lower edge resting on a stepped circular rim; the interior gilt. Engraved with an image of the Crystal Palace across the front of the beaker, a simple S shaped handle is attached to the rear. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This mug, commemorating the Great Exhibition, was made by Smith & Nicholson to be shown in the Goldsmithing and Jewellery section. By 1851 most engraved silver was commemorative and many pieces showed views of significant new buildings. The Crystal Palace was probably the most famous building of its time and its image appeared on all sorts of objects.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made by Smith & Nicholson, Lincoln Fields, London, Smith & Nicholson exhibited in Class XXIII (Goldsmithing & Jewellery) of the Great Exhibition. Neg._No: JE 2150 CT: CT 11371 |
| Summary | Object Type The mug is a form developed at the end of the 17th century and became very popular in the Victorian period. It was used to consume a much wider range of drinks than the 'small beer' (a weak, poor-quality beer drunk in place of water) of previous generations. In silver, a number of new styles, as well as revived designs, were added to the variety of mug shapes and patterns. Trading The silver trade specialised in presentation and commemorative pieces during the Victorian period. Smith & Nicholson, who made this mug, showed presentation silver at the Great Exhibition. Similar mugs may have been shown on their stand, as examples of souvenirs of the highest quality, and may have been sold to the wealthiest of the exhibition's visitors. Historical Associations The mug commemorates the Great Exhibition of 1851. It is engraved with a design of the Crystal Place, which housed the exhibition. The Crystal Palace was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton (1801-1865), a horticulturalist, garden designer and architect. Erected in Hyde Park, London, it covered 18 acres and was built from sheet glass, wood and metal. When opened to the public on 1 May 1851, it received great praise. As one of the most innovative and impressive buildings of its day, it was a fitting subject for commemorative wares. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.143-1978 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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