Measures

Add to album

These three pewter measures for a Scots pint date from the late 18th or early 19th century.

The shape of the measures is known as a 'Tappit Hen'. Two of the measures are 'crested'. The one on the left has the initials 'IS EW' scratched on the outside of the lid, while the one in the centre is initialled `I.W.' on the front. The one on the right has the initials 'W.Y', 'M.L.' and 'J.R.' on the neck and is engraved on the body 'WHEAT SHEAF 1785'. (The Wheatsheaf was an inn in Kilmarnock). In each case the initials are probably those of the owners.

The measure on the right has a projecting pimple or 'pluke' on the inside to indicate the point to which the measure should be filled.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-004-020-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1934.247
• Date: c. 1785
  Late 18th - early 19th century
  Late 18th or early 19th century
  
• Material: Pewter. Inscription: Body: WHEAT SHEAF 1785; neck: W.Y. / M.L. / J.R.
  Pewter. Inscription: Front: I.W.
  Pewter. Inscription: On lid: IS EW
  Hen, tappit
  Measure / tappit hen / pint, Sco
  Measure / tappit hen / pint, Scots
  
• Dimensions: 10.50" H
  11.85" H
  283 mm H
  
• What: Hen, tappit
  Measure / tappit hen / pint, Sco
  Measure / tappit hen / pint, Scots
  
• Subject: Pewter (NMAS Classification)
  Pewter (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ayrshire, Kilmarnock (Wheat Sheaf)
  
• Event:
• Description: Pewter tappit hen measure for a Scots pint, crested type, initialled `I.W.' on the front
  Pewter tappit hen with the outside of the lid scratched with the initials `IS EW', late 18th or early 19th century
  Pewter tappit hen measure for a Scots pint, crested type with scroll handle and thumb-piece, engraved "WHEAT SHEAF 1785", with initials "W.Y", "M.L." and "J.R." on the neck, Scottish, c. 1785
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: