Gorham
Sterling Presentation
Beer
Stein Circa. 1894
This exceptional special order
beer mug is an outstanding example of both the caster and chaser's art.
Boasting an wonderfully cast handle and excellent repousse work, this beer mug
was special ordered from Gorham by the Masonic Lodge of St. Andrew in Boston
in 1894.
Using the Scottish theme of St.
Andrew (the patron saint of Scotland), repoussed thistles flow around the top
of the mug and form three wreaths, which are cartouches containing two seals
of the Lodge of St. Andrew and a larger figure of St. Andrew holding his cross
(see detail). The handle is extraordinary well cast continuing the
thistle motif with a three dimensional thistle bloom as the thumb-piece. The
mug rests on a spreading ring foot with cast and chased classical acanthus
decoration.
The base of this beer mug bears
the inscription "Presented by Lodge of St.
Andrew to Wor(shipful) Brother William L. Richardson, November 30, 1894."
A report by Sam Hough from
Gorham indicates the beer mug was chased for 80 hours and the final factory
(wholesale) price was set at $90.00, which indicates a retail price of
$150-$200. Adjusted for inflation, this translates into $4,000-$6,000 in
today's money.
The venerable Masonic Lodge of
St. Andrew was one of the first Masonic Temples on this continent. It
was officially granted its charter in 1756 when Massachusetts was the Bay
Colony, not a state. Of its many important members, the patriot Paul
Revere is the best known. Today, the lodge is still located on Boston Common.
Measuring 6 inches high and 4
inches in diameter (at the base), weighing approximately 16 troy ounces, it is
in excellent condition except that it has been mechanically polished.
While there is not much loss to the chased highlights, the background fields
display a polished finish.
