Tappit hen

This is the earliest known example of a pewter tankard called a 'tappit hen'. It was recovered from the foundations of the present North Bridge in Edinburgh. It was made by James Abernethie of Edinburgh in 1669.

The tappit hen is stamped on the lip near the handle with the date, 1669, and the maker's mark.

The name 'tappit hen' derives from the characteristic hen-shaped knob which tops the lid of such tankards.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-002-471-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.MET 51
Date:	1669
Material:	Pewter. Inscription: Lip near handle: I (a castle) A
Dimensions:	240 mm H x 95 mm Dia (Base)
What:	Measure / tappit hen
Subject:	Pewter (NMAS Classification)
Who:	James Abernethie, Edinburgh (Maker)
Where:	Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh (North Bridge)
Event:
Description:	Pewter tappit hen measure with the mark of James Abernethie, Edinburgh, 1669, on the lip near the handle, recovered from the foundations of the present North Bridge
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