Mug

Using fine ribbons of glass on the lip and flutes around the waist is characteristic of English mugs made in the last half of the 18th century. This particular example is noteworthy because it is engraved with the initials "IM" and contains a Royal Maundy souvenir coin. The distribution of Royal Maundy occurs annually on Maundy Thursday, normally in Westminster Abbey in even-numbered years, an elsewhere in odd-numbered years. Bags of money are given to as many poor men and women as there are years in the sovereign's age.

The coin in the base of this mug is dated 1687. Contemporary as well as old Maundy coins were inserted into glass objects and sold to the public as souvenirs of the celebration.

"Decorative Arts Highlights from the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection," page 89