An Irish silver tankard, maker's mark P.T below a winged cherub's head, possibly Peter Tobin, Dublin, 1704

hinged cover, moulded scroll handle with scroll thumbpiece and heart shaped terminal, the body later engraved with a coat-of-arms and motto THIS I'LL DEFEND / BE WARE, the underside engraved with scratch weight 28=18

Hallmarked on body and cover with date leter and harp crowned and on handle with maker's mark. The cover with a small circular patch at rim, otherwise a rare and early example in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The arms are those of Macfarlane (otherwise Macfarlan) of that Ilk, and Arrochar, co. Dumbarton, Scotland, of whom Walter Macfarlane, 19^th of Arrochar and 20^th Chief of Clan Macfarlane, was a distinguished antiquarian and genealogist. He was known to both Dr Johnson and James Boswell, the latter writing in his Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides (1785), that he (Macfarlane) held strict views on etiquette 'and considered himself as disrespectfully treated if the common addition [i.e. Mr] was applied to him. "Mr. Macfarlan," said he, "may with equal propriety be said to many; but I, and I only, am Macfarlan."' Following his death in Canongate, Edinburgh, on 5 June 1767, Macfarlane's library was sold and his manuscripts were eventually acquired by the Faculty of Advocates. He was survived by his wife, Lady Elizabeth Erskine (d. 1794), daughter of Alexander, 5^th Earl of Kelly, whom he had married in 1760. She married was secondly in 1768 to Vice-Admiral Alexander Colville, 7^th Lord Colville of Culross.

Peter Tobin is listed as a Freeman of the Dublin Goldsmith's Company from 1693.