Lot 345
All Souls College interest - A mid-18th century tumbler cup
Auction: Jewellery, Silver & Watches
Description
Jonathon Swift, London 1745, typical form, gilt interior, engraved decoration of a Mallard with a motto
Dimensions
Height: 6cm, weight: 5.4oz
Footnote
Provenance :The David Constable Collection of Drinking Vessels & Wine Labels
Note: The mallard and 'Swapping he was' appears to be associated with an archaic ceremony held at All Souls College, Oxford in particular, as well as the college in general.
The tradition of the "All Souls Mallard" - At the beginning of each century, on or around January 14th, the warden leads a procession throughout the college to look for a mythical duck that appeared when the college was first being built, all the while singing the 'mallard song'. The mallard song, however, is not just sung once a century, but twice each year, at the November Gaudy and at the Bursar's Dinner in March, at the end and after singing the Mallard song the tradition is to celebrate the events and the tumbler cup offered here fits in with this. A number of items have been gifted to the college by Fellows and often the Mallard is a prominent motif, particularly on the silver.
There are various versions of the origins and many references can be found, of particular interest is the All Souls College website and The Mallard Society.