A very rare ½-pint pewter haystack measure made by Joseph Austen & Son, Cork c1823-46 their touchmark under the base. On the front of the body is their hardly ever seen brass plaque with ‘AUSTEN & SON CORK’ over an armorial device of a lion and a unicorn with a crowned shield between them, and ‘MANUFACTURERS’ below. 5 verification marks around the outside of the rim, and two more inside. Haystack measures with these plaques are exceptionally rare see page 27 of Types of Irish Pewter by David Hall, and this measure is in very good condition. Apparently Irish republicans disliked the symbolism depicted by the brass plaque, and the great majority of measures with these plaques were defaced, usually by ripping off the plaque. Capacity stamp 1 HALF PINT above the plaque meaning the capacity is an Imperial half-pint = 10 fl oz. 4⅞” tall with 2⅞” base diameter. 345g weight. REF: P172
