These pewter drinking vessels were common in eighteenth century Scotland’s public houses because they were relatively cheap to make and could withstand use and, perhaps, abuse.

The name ‘tappit hen’ is derived from the distinctive thumbpiece, or finial, that makes the object (museum reference H.MET 56) look like a crested (or 'tappit' in Scots) hen. 

Vessels like these could also be engraved with the owner’s name or initials. The vessel explored in the film shown below is thought to come from John Dowie’s famous tavern on Libberton’s Wynd in Edinburgh. John Dowie’s was the favoured drinking spot of Robert Burns and his companions, William Nicol and Allan Masterton. 

Burns is known to have frequented John Dowie's when the poet was in Edinburgh between November 1786 and February 1788.