George III style silver pint mug

Handsome early-20th-century copy of a George III style silver bellied pint mug with a plain body, leaf-capped scrolling handle sitting on a round spreading foot. This classic style of silver mug would have been popular in the circa 1760 century.

A silver mug is a lidless drinking vessel with a handle and English silver mugs were made in graduated sizes; the most common being the quart, pint, half pint and gill. Gallon and half gallon mugs like this example appear from time to time.

The first "pots" (aka mugs) appeared in English taverns around 1650 and these early examples were tall with heavy banding, but around 1690-1700 mugs with plain bodies appeared.

In the mid-18th century, mugs with a tulip shape or a U-shaped body were introduced.  Although many local or regional varieties of mug were made in the 19th century, a popular shape emerged and was variously known as the "pear", "belly" or "bulbous" form and more mugs of this shape were made than of any other.