With a palm tree thumbpiece, engraved tulip to the flat lid and tulip and bird to the drum, the tankard measured 6 1/4in (15.5cm) tall and had the maker's mark LA to the inside base.
A well-documented piece, it was estimated at £5000-7000 and sold at £7200.
Very much part of the reign of the Merry Monarch was the contemporary stumpwork picture, below right.
Catalogued as portraying the royal mistress Nell Gwynne, with possibly allegorical figures in the corners, the piece, worked in silk was in a cushion-moulded burr oak frame (part shown) measuring 7 x 10 1/2in (18 x 27cm). Estimated at £1000-1500, it sold at £1200.
Here’s health unto his Merry Majesty…
PEWTER always forms the first section of Bonhams’ (17.5/10% buyer's premium) oak sales at Chester, and on September 9 enthusiasts, mainly collectors, were there as usual. Most had their eyes on the obvious star offering, the fine Charles II wriggle-work tankard, top right.