Victorian silver two-handled cup

This impressive and unusually large two-handled Victorian beer mug with its gilded interior has a capacity of 4½ pints, approximately half a gallon, and is probably the largest we've ever seen. This antique silver mug is of a simple tapering form and absolutely plain in style. The pair of applied loop handles are suitably sturdy and pleasing to hold.

This silver mug lends itself to being a presentation piece and could be engraved with a suitable inscription or image. Look at our engraving archive for inspiration.

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