Gallon Measure
1601 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This is a standard measure for a gallon. It is cast in bronze and bears the royal arms and the name of Elizabeth I. It also bears the date 1601, when new legislation relating to capacity came into effect. The rim is stamped with a crowned 'I', indicating that the gallon capacity was verified by an inspector.
Ownership & Use
Measures of capacity have a long history. The gallon is first mentioned in England in about 1266 and the pint was established before 1474. One way to avoid fraudulent measure was to have a standard measure with an exact capacity that could be verified and stamped. Standard measures were made in a heavy, durable material such as bronze and kept safe by the local council. When a dispute over measurement of wine or beer arose, a standard measure was used to establish the true capacity of a particular vessel.
History
The gallon standard issued in 1601 under Elizabeth I was based on standards set by Henry VII in 1496. After 1300 two types of gallon measure are found. One was based on dry measure, which was eight pounds of wheat, and the other was a liquid measure equivalent to eight pounds of wine. Gallons were used to measure corn, wheat, ale and wine.
This is a standard measure for a gallon. It is cast in bronze and bears the royal arms and the name of Elizabeth I. It also bears the date 1601, when new legislation relating to capacity came into effect. The rim is stamped with a crowned 'I', indicating that the gallon capacity was verified by an inspector.
Ownership & Use
Measures of capacity have a long history. The gallon is first mentioned in England in about 1266 and the pint was established before 1474. One way to avoid fraudulent measure was to have a standard measure with an exact capacity that could be verified and stamped. Standard measures were made in a heavy, durable material such as bronze and kept safe by the local council. When a dispute over measurement of wine or beer arose, a standard measure was used to establish the true capacity of a particular vessel.
History
The gallon standard issued in 1601 under Elizabeth I was based on standards set by Henry VII in 1496. After 1300 two types of gallon measure are found. One was based on dry measure, which was eight pounds of wheat, and the other was a liquid measure equivalent to eight pounds of wine. Gallons were used to measure corn, wheat, ale and wine.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast bronze |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
In 1601 a new law on weights and measures came into effect under Elizabeth I. Standard measures with verified capacities were kept in a secure place by town or city councils. They were used to settle disputes over selling items such as beer, wheat or barley. The inscribed royal insignia confirm that this measure was made to an approved standard.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Alfred Williams Hearn Gift |
| Object history | Made in England by an unknown maker with a maker's mark of a crowned 'I' |
| Production | Dated 1601 |
| Summary | Object Type This is a standard measure for a gallon. It is cast in bronze and bears the royal arms and the name of Elizabeth I. It also bears the date 1601, when new legislation relating to capacity came into effect. The rim is stamped with a crowned 'I', indicating that the gallon capacity was verified by an inspector. Ownership & Use Measures of capacity have a long history. The gallon is first mentioned in England in about 1266 and the pint was established before 1474. One way to avoid fraudulent measure was to have a standard measure with an exact capacity that could be verified and stamped. Standard measures were made in a heavy, durable material such as bronze and kept safe by the local council. When a dispute over measurement of wine or beer arose, a standard measure was used to establish the true capacity of a particular vessel. History The gallon standard issued in 1601 under Elizabeth I was based on standards set by Henry VII in 1496. After 1300 two types of gallon measure are found. One was based on dry measure, which was eight pounds of wheat, and the other was a liquid measure equivalent to eight pounds of wine. Gallons were used to measure corn, wheat, ale and wine. |
| Bibliographic reference | Angus Patterson, Chapter, "Alehouses, Taverns and Inns", Philippa Glanville and Sophie Lee, eds., The Art of Drinking, V&A Publications, London, 2007, p. 77 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.19-1923 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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