A rare Elizabeth I leaded bronze Exchequer-standard measure, of pint capacity, dated 1601


With finely moulded rim and footrim, the upper surface of the former stamped twice with an 'E' beneath a dagger mark, for London, the body cast in relief with the cipher 'ER' beneath a crown between the figures '16' and '01', the single handle facetted and knopped, 11cm rim diameter x 10cm high
|This rare measure is one of approximately sixty issued to English county towns by the Exchequer in 1601, when standard bushel and gallon measures were constructed based upon the standards of Henry VII (1485-1509). Of this number, several survive in the prestigious collections of, for instance, the British Museum [Museum Number: 1883,0409.1] and the Science Museum, London.