Silver mugs have been popular gifts at births and christenings for many centuries and the tradition continues today.
In the eighteenth century they were generally made in similar styles to the larger pint and half pint mugs but made smaller for children’s use. The styles of the eighteenth century were generally very plain and by the 1780s small mugs in the form of a coopered barrel (either straight sided or bellied were popular). By about 1810 the varieties and range of styles made by silversmiths expanded greatly and many were made of very decorative and unusual styles.
One of the great benefits of a child (or adult) drinking out of a silver mug, which they would have been unaware of years ago, was the antibacterial nature of silver. Any germs that rested on the silver would be neutralised by the metal. The antibacterial properties of both silver and gold are now well understood so drinking out of silver mugs and tankards is an excellent idea!
At William Walter Antiques we have a fine selection of silver christening mugs from the eighteenth century right up to the modern era with styles ranging from the very plain to the extremely exotic.
