Auction sees royal tankard fetch €24k

Even by the richest publicans’ excessive rates, this is still one pricey pint.

And one, it seems, that only a king could afford.

A Cork-made tankard dating back to the late 1600s and standing just eight inches in height has sold for $31,250 (€23,779) — over 30 times its listed price — after its hidden rarity was discoveredmoments before a major auction.

The silver tankard, which was used to hold drinks more than 300 years ago, was initially believed to be a standard relic from the George II period. As such, the piece — which was being auctioned at the Doyle New York sale — was not deemed to be worth more than $700- $1,000.

However, a closer examination of marks on the piece found it was in fact made for the British King, George I, by an old master who worked in Cork City during the late 1600s and early 1700s.

The discovery resulted in a bidding war between Irish and international silver dealers for the single tankard, before eventually being sold to an unnamed party for more than 30 times its presumed value just hours earlier.

The tankard was made in Cork City by Robert Goble, who worked in the area from 1672 to 1719. Mr Goble is also the maker of the 1696 Mace of the Trade Guilds of the City of Cork, which is today on site at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

He died in 1719 and is buried in the Huguenot Cemetery on French Church St in Cork City.

* Further details at antiquesandartireland.com