I have this tankard and I would greatly appreciate some advice. I believe it is from 1934 and has a lovely bone/horn handle. The maker I think is Hukin& Heath and weight is 487gms. It was won by my grandfather in 1939 and I assume did not return to the snooker club after the war. Perhaps the club had closed?
It seems a shame to sell as “scrap”, however will the maker add some value above the scrap value while the engravings detract??? Your advice would be gratefully received. Very best wishes. David
Apparently boar tusks were an available product from 1912 onwards for this firm.
But you raise an interesting question. Should beer be drunk out of silver mugs?
Arguments in favour: It has been for as long as silver has been around to make drinking vessels, it lends the humble pint an air of class in a frosty mug and if anybody is trying to poison you the silver beer mug will react and counter some poisons,
Arguments against: Some of the modern products used in beer production trigger the silver which leeches into the beer affecting its taste. Recognizing this problem the Victorians often gold-plated the mug’s interior and with the scrap price of silver a beer mug can drift up into the thousands and that money could be used to buy a great deal of otherwise neglected beer.
The boars tusk link is a great help and I can confirm that the handle on the tankard looks exactly like those used on the auctioned wine cooler. I think it seals the decision to keep it on display. Again the forum has been a great help. Many thanks. All the best David
One of the most notable chapters in Hukin & Health’s history was its collaboration with Dr. Christopher Dresser, a pioneering industrial designer. Dresser’s modern, minimalist approach and his fascination with Japanese aesthetics greatly influenced its designs during the late 19th century resulting in innovative and elegant pieces that are still highly sought after by collectors today.
It is not clear if Dr Dresser came up with the boar tusk design which is still being used mostly on plate but looking looking at examples of his work with them it seems likely, despite his death in 1904.
Tusk 