Scottish Corn Gallon
Download media
Object number20913
TitleScottish Corn Gallon
CreatorUnknown
DescriptionThis rare Scottish Corn Gallon would have been used to measure grain and other dried goods. We can date it to around 1708, just after the Act of Union, when Scotland become part of Great Britain. At this time the Scots system of weights and measures was dropped, and a new system introduced.
The gallon is made of pewter, an alloy of tin, lead and copper. This metal was often used to make weights, measures and everyday objects like plates and tankards until pottery became common later in the 18th century. Can you see the round emblem showing our town symbol, the Stirling Wolf, resting on its rock? If you look closely you can also make out the Latin inscription ‘Sterlini Oppidium’ – it quite simply means the town of Stirling.
Pewterers were part of the Hammermen, the first of the Seven Incorporated Trades of Stirling. Their motto is ‘By hammer in hand all arts do stand’ – the members ranged from the gold and silversmiths of the court to the blacksmiths and farriers who made tools and equipment essential to everyday life. The Trade also included clock makers, jewellers and armourers – in fact, everyone who made goods from metal.
Production date 1707 - 1710
Object namegallon, corn gallon
MaterialPewter
TechniqueBeaten
Dimensions
whole Height: 200 mm
whole Diameter: 320 mm
whole Diameter: 320 mm