s The Johnson Salver, Made by Thomas Mangie, York, 1666 - Hull Museums Collections

The Johnson Salver, Made by Thomas Mangie, York, 1666

This silver salver is a type of tray with a stand. These salvers usually came with a caudle cup and cover. Caudle was warm drink made with wine and eggs. Unfortunately the cup was lost long ago but this has survived. The decoration shows a lion, a unicorn and a dog as well as the Hull town arms in the centre. In the same year this was made there was also the Great Fire of London and the Great Plague. This salver, along with a silver pot and cover, is recorded as being a gift from Alderman Thomas Johnson in 1668 to the city. This was instead of paying a fine for being free from the office of Sheriff. Unfortunately, there is no record of why he wanted to stop being Sheriff but he later became Mayor in 1672. It is engraved underneath: “The gift of Thomas Johnson Merchant 1668 who was major Anno 1672/3 and Maior A gaine Anno 1685/6.” Alderman Thomas Johnson also became an Honorary Brother of the Hull Trinity House in 1689.