Irish factory Pewter Haystack Measures

A lot consisting of three antique Irish pewter haystack measures

The 1-pint measure is approximately 6.125 inches high and 3.625 inches in diameter at the base. The measure is approximately 5 inches in length from the back of the handle to the outer face of the front mid-seam. The piece has a Joseph Austen & Son maker's mark stamped on the bottom. Joseph Austen was a pewterer in Cork, Ireland from 1791 to 1846. In 1846 the business was taken over by the Gibbings family, located at 93 and 94 North Main Street Cork. The Gibbings family produced pewter with the Austen mark until about 1880. Since this piece is also stamped 94 North Main Street Cork, the piece was manufactured after 1846 and prior to 1880. The piece is stamped 1-Pint and has marks stamped on the inside and outside of the upper tapered section (3 total) signifying that the measure was inspected by official weights and measure inspectors on more than one occasion.

The 1 Half Pint measure is approximately 4.875 inches high and 2.75 inches in diameter at the factory base. The measure is approximately 4 inches in length from the back of the handle to the outer face of the front mid-seam. The piece has a Joseph Austen & Son maker's mark stamped on the bottom. Since this piece is not stamped 94 North Main Street Cork, the piece was manufactured prior to 1846. The date of manufacture was prior to 1835, given the visible weights and measure date stamp on the outside of the upper tapered section. The piece is stamped 1 Half Pint on the body of the lower tapered section and John Beecher on the upper tapered section. John Beecher is assumed to be the name of the establishment where the measure was first intended to be used. The piece has stamps on the inside and outside of the upper tapered section (3 total) signifying that the measure was inspected by official weights and measure inspectors on more than one occasion.

The 1 Noggin measure is approximately 3.5 inches high and 2.5 inches in diameter at the base. The measure is approximately 3.5 inches in length from the back of the handle to the outer face of the front mid-seam. The piece has a Joseph Austen & Son maker's mark and 94 North Main Street Cork stamps on the bottom which means the piece was manufactured after 1846 and prior to 1880. The piece is stamped 1-Noggin and has marks stamped on the inside and outside of the upper tapered section (2 total) signifying that the measure was inspected by official weights and measure inspectors on more than one occasion.

The three-haystack measures have seen a lot of mileage given their age. Each of the measure has dents and dings from their long-term use in Ireland. One can only imaging the stories each measure could tell. The 1 Half Pint measure has had two poorly performed repairs. One is a resin type repair to the mid-seam and the other is very noticeable solder repair at the upper handle.

Do not use the measures for pouring liquids to be ingested. Pewter is made from lead containing materials and lead is known to leach out.