Mug, 1726-1762

Mark:
S . E, capital letters, with raised pellet between, in shield with crown above and fleur-de-lys below, on bottom of mug <br/>
Engraved:
G M B <br/>
Exhibited:
Newton College of the Sacred Heart; Newton, Massachusetts; March 10, 1963; no. 8. Salve Regina College; Newport, Rhode Island; May 17, 1964; no. 8. The New England Silversmith; Museum of Art, Rhode Island School of Design; Providence, Rhode Island; October 23-November 28, 1965; no.75. <br/>
Dimensions:
H. 3 5/8" D. of bottom 3 11/16" D. of top 2 7/8" 8.6ozt. <br/> This delightful mug by Samuel Edwards exhibits tapering sides with a moulded rim, midband, and baseband, much like a tankard without a lid. It has a scroll handle with a grip and oval terminal. The scroll handle is connected to the mug body by a triangular drop and lower oval body joining. It is delicately engraved GMB in an elaborate reverse cypher located on the front of the mug. It is possible that this cypher is based upon the surname initial B for Barrell, a colonial Boston family from Charlestown (Gebelein, July, 27, 1962).