The late 17th century small silver tumbler cup of deep round form,
having a matted ('sharkskin') surface below a plain and reeded rim;
maker's mark struck thrice,
RS, a mullet below, within a heart
and a fourth, possibly a crowned leopard

Mark : 'Jackson's Revised', p. 140,
1686-87, RS, a mullet below within a heart,
as found on a sucket fork and wine taster of that date.

One of the earliest records of tumbler cups is that of Samuel Pepys, on October 24, 1664.
He cites an odd alternate name - "cocking cups".
At that time, in the north-west of England,
these small cups were sometimes given as prizes given in cockfighting contests.
The earliest silver known tumbler cups still in existence date to 1671, at All Souls Oxford.
These early small, plain drinking cups were first popular at 17th century colleges,
(as Oxford) and intended to be emptied in a single draught.

The cups were hammered up from a single sheet of thick silver,
with a heavier rounded base and thinner sides.
This construction allowed the cup to right itself when knocked –
thus the name "tumbler", from the Germanic word for "acrobat".
This righting action was also useful to travelers of the day.

Condition : Maker's mark slightly rubbed but legible;
the circular form is a slightly out of round;
small rim nicks and wear to the matting appropriate to age and usage

1-1/8" High / 1-7/8" Wide / 0.6oz.

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James II /.William and Mary Silver Tumbler Cup, Roger Strickland, London 1690, Sharkskin Decoration 

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