RARE - 18th Century American Tavern Noggin, as in books

This is another nice piece offered; it is an 18th century one-piece hand-carved chestnut Tavern Noggin with handle and turned interior. It measures 6 3/4” tall with a 3” diameter opening. While most were made of treen (small functional wooden items), they could also be crafted from pewter, tin, or copper.

In the 18th century, a noggin was a drinking vessel, typically a wooden mug or cup, often with a pouring lip, commonly used in taverns for serving individual portions of spirits, ale, or cider. They were often passed around the table as a friendly gesture between friends.  The term served both as the name of the container and as a specific liquid measure, often equivalent to a gill (roughly a quarter-pint or 4–5 fluid ounces).

This 1700’s noggin is very hard to find today, especially in this great untouched condition and patina. There are no issues and it is rare to be made of chestnut wood. There are examples in “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neuman & Kravic (see pictures).

Revolutionary War soldiers heavily consumed alcohol, which was integrated into daily life and military rations, including beer, cider, rum, and whiskey. These drinks were often preferred over water, which was risky to consume, and soldiers averaged high consumption, sometimes leading to disciplinary issues. Rations included items like spruce beer, and alcohol played a key role in soldier morale and in taverns.

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Throughout history, war has been a constant presence, shaping civilizations and societies. From the earliest days of humanity, conflict has persisted in various forms, and based on historical patterns, it is likely to continue in some manner. This ongoing reality has given rise to a deep fascination among historians and collectors who seek to understand the past through the tangible remnants left behind, i.e. uniforms, guns, swords, artillery.

While significant attention is given to weapons and military gear, the everyday items used by soldiers frequently go unnoticed. Simple objects like forks, spoons, cups, dishes, pots, and knives played an essential role in a soldier’s daily life. These items were as precious to the individual as their weapon, serving practical needs and providing comfort amidst the hardships of war. I myself have always appreciated their importance in showing a complete representation of a collection.   Bob