The hand-raising technique used to make this beaker is expensive and labour intensive. The silversmith ‘raises’ the piece from a flat disc of silver by hammering it into shape over an iron block or anvil. Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942), who designed it, was a leading figure in the British Arts and Crafts Movement which championed the revival of traditional handcrafting techniques.

In 1888 Ashbee established the Guild of Handicraft in the East End of London. It was modelled on the medieval craft workshop and set out to revive the role of the artist craftsman. At the turn of the century, the Guild was at the height of its success and produced silverwares with simple forms and restrained use of colour. Financially, however, the Guild was less successful and in 1908 Ashbee was forced to wind up its affairs.