A Queen Anne Britannia standard silver tankard
London, 1709
Engraved with a coat of arms.
height 7 1/2in (19cm); length 8in (20cm); width 5 1/2in (14cm); weight approximately 28 oz troy

Footnote:The engraved arms are those of the family of Bradshaw.There is a likelihood that that this tankard belonged to a gentleman who was a member of a cadet branch of the family of Bradshaw, of Haigh in the County of Lancashire whose family arms and pedigree were recorded in the Heralds’ Visitationof the County of Lancashire 1664 – 65.

Upon an examination of a printed pedigree of the family, a leading candidate for the ownership of this tankard is James Bradshaw (died 30th August 1754), of Milecross near Newtonards in the County of Down. He appears to have been the only son of James Bradshaw and his wife, Anne Paterson. James (the younger) married Anna Turner, the daughter of James Turner and his wife, Lucia Lascelles.

Alternatively, this tankard may well have been in the possession of the Bradshaws, of Holbrook in the County of Derbyshire given that they bore the same arms and therefore there is a presumed or putative cousinship between the two families. If this second hypothesis is credible, the second likely candidate who may have owned this tankard was The Reverend Samuel Bradshaw (born 1683 died circa 1767), of Upminster in the County of Essex. Samuel was the eldest son, of Henry Bradshaw, of Holbrook aforesaid and his wife, Helen Hill. He married Mary Ellis, the daughter ofThe Reverend Ellis.

Marked to side of body near rim, underside center of lid and part marked to handle. No maker's mark evident. Apparently re-marked with date letter for 1718. Underside stamped LAMBERT/COVENTRY/LONDON. Handle repaired. Compression of handle into body. Possible repairs to underside. General marks, scratches, dings, rubbing, tarnishing and wear.