A large Britannia Standard Silver Two Handled Bowl.
Chased fluted decoration with two cast scroll handles.
Hallmarked : London 1888
Makers: James Deakin & Sons
Height : 13.3cm
Length : 41cm
Britannia standard silver was introduced as part of the great recoinage scheme of William IlI from 1696, when attempts were made to limit the clipping and melting of sterling silver coinage. A higher standard for wrought plate meant that sterling silver coins could not easily be used as a source of raw material because additional fine silver, which was in short supply at the time, would have to be added to bring the purity of the alloy up to the higher standard.