Social History — 19th century; c. 1817-1826
Beaker, drinking vessel
Beaker of half pint capacity used at the Mount Street workhouse in Mayfair, Westminster. Built in 1725 the workhouse was enlarged in the 1780s and finally demolished in 1886 due to overcrowding. Beer would have been the standard drink provided to workhouse inmates in the early 19th century.
The beaker has a turned rim, pronounced fillets around the body, and a turned spreading pedestal foot. The body is engraved in cursive script ‘Mount St Workhouse’. There are three lions passant and a '½ PINT' stamp just below the rim. There is a circular touch inside the base inscribed ALDERSON, referring to the maker Sir George Alderson (d. 1826), pewterer and Sherriff of London. Sir George Alderson became free of the Worshipful Company of Pewterer's by patronage in 1792, and was elected Master in 1823.
- Category:
- Social History
- Object ID:
- 65.47/32
- Object name:
- beaker, drinking vessel
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Alderson, George, Alderson, Sir George
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 19th century; c. 1817-1826
- Material:
lead alloy, tin alloy, pewter
- Measurements/duration:
- H 103 mm, D 80 (approx) (rim), WT 269 g (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.