A Commonwealth or Charles II silver straight-tapered tankard by Anthony Ficketts, London 1659 up to 12th July 1660, the flat cover with a bifurcated kidney thumbpiece, the S-scroll handle with a shield terminal, on a moulded foot, engraved with a later mantled shield, 16cm (6 1/4in) high, 762g (24.5 oz) Following the beheading of Charles I in 1649, under the English Interregnum or Commonwealth the country was a de facto republic led by Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell defeated Charles II at the Battle of Worcester on 3rd September 1651, and Charles fled to mainland Europe. Charles spent the next nine years in exile in France, the Dutch Republic and the Spanish Netherlands. The political crisis that followed Cromwell's death in 1658 resulted in the restoration of the monarchy, and Charles was invited to return to Britain. On 29th May 1660, his 30th birthday, he was received in London to public acclaim. See Mitchell, David M. 'Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London' Woodbridge 2017, p. 215ff for this maker's mark, a biography and full attribution to Anthony Ficketts. The blazon: argent, a chevron gules between three maunches azure. The nearest match being STAFFERTON (variant of STAWTON) of Berkshire. The listed blazon for these arms is: argent, a chevron sable between three maunches azure. Condition Report: The thumbpiece with a silver solder repair, clear marks to cover exterior and beneath base, to dents in handle from thumbpiece when hinged back, armorial engraving crisp, play and repair to the hinge We can not confirm if this is from the commonwealth period or the early part of Charles II reign. Please refer to the footnote. Condition Report Disclaimer