Pass mugs or cups were made so that people could more easily share their beverage with others by passing it along with each person grasping it by one of the handles and handing it to another. Considering the weight of some of these mugs along with the additional weight of the contents, this was clearly a practical solution to the strong possibility of dropping the mug when attempting to pass it to another person and spilling the contents which very likely would have been beer. This pass mug weighs 2 pounds 10.5 ounces. Pass mugs were made and used for centuries. We estimate this pass mug to have been made in the 19th century in Russia.

 Of course pass mugs can be collected for their own attributes of long history and interesting character but mugs such as this one could also be collected and displayed for its almost brutalist sculptural qualities in a modern setting. We would recommend that the next owner preserve the current patina of the surface and leave it unpolished.

These mugs were made with two, three or more handles and were made in a variety of materials. In the case of this mug it has two handles and is made of copper. It is lined with another metal, perhaps tin. It has a rolled edge.

This pass mug measures 5 1/2 inches in height, 4 1/4 inches in diameter across the bottom and 5 1/4 inches in diameter across the top (measured to the outside of the rolled edge). One handle has a solder repair and also, at the rivet where it is attached inside, there is a patch of solder indicating that the lower end of the handle needed to be reattached or reinforced.  The outside appearance of that same rivet looks as though it had been rerivetted.

The other handle, after close examination, appears to be a replacement but most likely done in period. It differs a bit from the other handle in size and shape but is equally strong and well constructed. That handle is placed over the dovetail seam in the side. The mug shows signs of having been well used.

The sides and handles of this pass mug have great patina from age. We are offering this pass mug for its collectible and decorative purposes and suggest that it not be used for a beverage to drink.

This pass mug has a previous owner collector’s handwritten information sticker still taped to the bottom. We are leaving the sticker on there as part of its history of previous ownership.

Please examine the photos closely & purchase based on your own judgement as to condition & value.

This item is inventory #10498.

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