A mid-17th century Norwegian provincial silver peg tankard, stamped with maker's mark to underside, by Anders Andersen Heins, Trondheim, circa 1650. Photo Bonhams.

see Krohn-Hansen, 'Tronhjems Gullsmedkunst', mark 17, page 158.

Plain cylindrical form with applied girdle to lower body, the body engraved with a presentation inscription in Latin within a circular foliate: border "Prabeo potand certum sitientibus usum, Ille reddit sanus qui mediocre bibit; Sed minimum largo qui se mei proluit hausta, Concidit in media sape faceti via. Edwardis Hammond. Anno 1686. Die: 23 Novemb.", the flat-domed cover with stylised bud thumbpiece, the centre engraved with a contemporary armorial with the initials 'TH' above and 'SH.DB' below, within a leafy wreath, the hollow scroll handle with central rib and terminating in vacant cartouche, on a domed skirting circular base, height 22.5cm, weight 33oz. Sold for £37,500 (€46,845)

Notes: The cover engraved with the shield and crest of HAM[M]OND of Windingham, Cambs., Teddington, Middx., Haling House, Surrey and also of Yorkshire with a brisure for difference. The cover also bears the initials of Thomas Hammond (1630-81).

Thomas Hammond settled in Trondheim, Norway around 1650 following his marriage to Elizabeth, the daughter of another immigrant merchant, Henry Sommerschield. Sommerschield had made his fortune in the herring and timber industry in Suffolk. Following marriage to his daughter, Thomas and his brother John continued the timber trade in London in receipt of goods. The marriage was considered 'useful' given Hammond was the son of a wealthy landowner and had roots as a timber merchant.

Following Hammond's arrival in Trondheim he bought timber from the peasants in the region, but soon he had his own forests and was able to run his sawmills with his timber. As business grew so did his family; Elizabeth and Thomas had seven children: four daughters and three sons, one of which was Edward.

Thomas Hammond was killed in the great Trondheim fire on the 18th April 1681. The fire tore the merchant district of Nidelva apart leaving only the Pier standing. Although the loss of buildings was serious, many of the business papers, deeds and accounts were also lost in the fire leaving huge sums outstanding. Years of litigation between the Hammond heirs and estate debtors followed although he received a post-humerus certificate from the magistrates declaring that he was an honest trader. Despite this, his wife Elizabeth died the following year, it is said she drowned herself in the river through grief of her husbands loss and her financial demise.

Little is known of Edward other than that he became the Mayor/Prefect of Bergen. His sister Sara continued the family business, marrying another important merchant, Albert Angell and later the merchant and city manager Soren Byball.

The Latin inscription to the body highlights the importance of alcoholic beverages in Nordic culture. The Norse people had an acute awareness of the perils and dangers of drunkenness with the great god Óðinn (the furious one) warning against such excessive drinking. The translation of the engraved quatrain appears to be comedic, but also bears resemblance to the Hávamál (sayings of the high one) below:

"Less good than they say for the sons of men
is the drinking of ale:
for the more they drink, the less they can think
and keep watch over their wits".

For a similar example to this tankard see: Jorunn Fossberg, Norsk Sølv: Gullsmeder Gjennom 600 AR (Denmark 2003), page 195.

Bonhams. FINE SILVER AND GOLD BOXES, London, New Bond Street, 18 Jun 2014 - www.bonhams.com