Mug

1850-1870

Maker

James Dixon and Sons (1835 to the present)

Measurements

3-1/4 in x 3-7/8 in x 2-5/8 in (dia)

Materials

Pewter (Britannia)

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.879

Inscription

The "JAMES DIXON & SONS / SHEFFIELD" makers mark on the outside bottom is also accompanied by the numbers 1212, 89, and 2.

Condition Notes

The surfaces of the mug are lightly oxidized.

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

This pint mug, a small cylindrical vessel with tapered sides, has clusters of four rings near the top and the bottom.  A C-shaped cast handle is applied, and the bottom is soldered in place.

James Dixon (1776-1852) was a very successful maker of metalwares, notably Britannia, which is refinement of pewter that included antimony in addition to tin (92% or more) and a small amount of copper.  Britannia was harder than pewter, could take more shapes, and eventually became a base metal for electroplating.  The Dixon mark changed many times over the decades and generations of the company.  It is the basis for dating the mug.

For a Dixon tea and coffee set, see accession no. 1971.818.