A mixed set of pewter and silver-plated drinking tankards with armorial engravings hand applied to each. This fabulous, and exceptionally humorous set of superb quality drinking tankards are not only visually eye catching, but also earmark a moment in English history. Each tankard has a hand engraved coat of arms, along with a presentation engraving marking certain, what can only be described as; "very English" activities!
Each of the six tankards has the college crest for Pembroke College, Oxford. Pembroke College was established in 1624 by King James 1st, and named after the third Earl of Pembroke; William Herbert, the Lord Chamberlain and then chancellor of the College. Like many Oxford colleges, it only accepted men until 1979. Notable people associated with the College are many, such as; J. R. R. Tolkien, For Roger Bannister, Abdullah II, Kind of Jordan, and James Smithson to name but a few.
These particular tankards were all presented to one fellow; Thomas Newman Frederik Bardwell. He was a member of the Bardwell family that lived at Bolton Hall. Bolton Hall was built byJohn Nicoll in1760, on land that was previously Bolton Common land.Thomas and his wife, Lucy Sophia Garnett-Botfield bought the house in 1882 and went on to raise all seven of their children there. All three of the sons fought gallantly in World War One. Thomas died in the house, at the age of eighty in 1931, with the house becoming a barracks during World War Two, and then falling into disrepair.
Tankard number one was one in June of 1870 for "Scratch Pairs", for rowing. Mr. Bardwell being noted as the "Bow", with a Mr. R. S. Mitchison as "Stroke" and a G. E. Jeans as the "Cox". Scratch pairs are when the crew has not rowed with each other before.
Tankard number two has a charming pair of crossed billiards cues with three balls in a triangle below. It has "Billiards Match" engraved above the Pembroke crest, and it states that it was a match of "400 Up" (scoring method for billiards) between Mr Bardwell and a Mr. A. F. Winter.
Tankard number three was also presented to Mr. Bardwell in 1870, this time for "Putting the stone". The putting of the stone is part of the Highland Games, and is the forebear of the shot put. A stone, varying between 16 and 26 lb is used to display throwing strength and technique. It is a sport the Robert Burns himself was keen to take part in.
Tankard number four appears to have been presented three times for two different, and very demanding events! The title of this tankard's recognition is for; "Athletic Sports"! It was initially presented in 1870 for first prize in the three legged race to Mr. Bardwell and a certain Mr. A. C. Payne. Either side of this center inscription is that of an award for "Putting the Stone", of which a second placing was achieved in both 1871 and '72, making him a second place shower for three consecutive years!
Tankard number five is once again a most English of "sporting" activities. Mr. Bardwell has this time been decorated for his talent at throwing the cricket ball! This, as it sounds, is a case of taking a cricket ball, consisting of an outer leather layer with rubber, cork and twine interior and simply throwing it as far as one can! This tankard registers that he was, in 1870, able to throw the aforementioned ball a total of 90 yards and 1 foot. This most prized of awards was later engraved upon in both 1871, where he won again with a slightly less heroic throw of 90 yards, and again in 1872 where he blew away all prior records registering a whopping 96 yards, and least we forget, 3 inches!
Finally, tankard six it would appear that Mr. Bardwell was not happy with scooping tankard number five for first place, but also went home with number six for second place, also in 1870! A busy year for Mr. Bardwell.
These really are a wonderful snap shot of both English and Oxford College life and history, for the privileged few. Such whimsical, but without doubt at the time, a source of immense pride for the winner as they have remained in superb condition.
The tankards are all presented in exceptional condition. All the hand engraving has been applied by a very fine hand indeed. They all have glass bottoms in tact, although one has a crack through it. Each base of the tankards are signed by the English silversmith; James Dixon & Sons. Dixon were a prominent and large scale silversmith based in Sheffield, England. Founded in 1806, they went on to make for a huge array of luxury retailers, along with the finest homes across the world, specialising in home goods, and items for the person. An added bonus to the bases of most of the tankards is that of a retail signature for the small boutique Osmond, also of Oxford. This would likely have been a small boutique within the city that supplied all in sundry. They are dated circa 1870, so it is safe to assume the manufacturing would have occurred very close to this period, during the reign of Queen Victoria. A very humorous and unique set that would be a wonderful accent to any bar or lounge area. They are to be sold as a complete set, and will not be broken up.
