Ive just taken delivery of a pewter beaker and saucer, with mistletoe motif on both. Theyve come, via Ebay, from France. Ive seen similar items before, but this is the first Ive actually handled.
But what are they? What is this strange object for?
Some beakers (probably more accurately ‘tellers’) Ive seen like this are German, and I assumed this one was too, as the vendor described illegible lettering around the mug rim as German.
So I was surprised to find that this lettering (not at all illegible!) is French and simply states Au Gui LAn Nouveau a variant on the usual Au Gui LAn Neuf the traditional French Mistletoe for the New Year slogan. Cant think why the vendor didnt notice this.
But it partially answers the mystery its something for the New Year. And judging by the obvious wear to the mug sides it has been in regular use perhaps passed round a drunken crowd in the early hours of January 1st for some decades?
It polishes up rather well and the form and quality of the decoration (usual botanically accurate branches and leaves but botanically inaccurate berries placed between leaves) is obvious.
But this isnt a particularly fine example of the type compare it with this pic of a much classier version, also recently advertised on Ebay. This has a maker’s name ‘Jules Brateau’ and a date of c 1900.
This posher one had a reserve of several £100, but I picked up my version for just £30 I think I prefer mine, not cos it was cheaper but because its obviously been used.
your ignorance and pomposity are truly amazing. jules brateau was the premier french pewterer of the late 19th/early 20th. any any idiot knows worn out items have little value, but check yours for marks. jb signed with a gibbet sybol, a pun on his name. maybe he has come back to bite you for your loud mouth!
Reply: No need to be rude – I’m a botanist, not an antiques expert. So my ignorance of 19th century French pewterers is to be expected, not something that is ‘truly amazing’. This ignorance is, of course, why I was asking questions about the items in the blog. I’m not sure why you have a problem with this. Why is the entry ‘pompous’ or ‘loud-mouthed’? Your comment fits both these terms very much better than my original entry. But thank you for the information – it is useful and interesting.