Bushel Measure, 1670

It is accorded and assented, That all the Measures, that is to say, Bushels, Half-bushels, Peck, Gallon, Pottle, and Quart, throughout England, within the Franchises and without, shall be according to the King's Standard; and the Quarter shall contain Eight Bushels by the Standard, and no more.

- Magna Carta

Standards of weights and measures were a critical matter in medieval and Renaissance England. Commerce suffered without consistent and reliable measures, and a series of laws beginning with the Magna Carta attempted to standardize the quantities used by merchants across the realm. One such law was enacted by King Charles II in 1670, the very year this bronze bushel measure was made. It set forth the penalties for using non-standard bushels and required a standard measure to be "chained" in every public marketplace.

This extremely rare measure bears cast and applied lettering reading:

ROBERT DOLMAN OF POCKLINGTON ESQ
HIBR: REX CAROLUS SECUNDUS DEI GRATIA MAG: FRA:
ANNO DOMINI 1670

As well as Royal devices of crowned portcullis, roses and fleurs d’lys, and a crowned “CR” for King Charles II.

Robert Dolman of Pocklington (c. 1626 - 1685) was a Royalist and, judging from this piece, was likely charged with local regulation of weights and measures.

17th century measures are scarce, with only a handful of bushel measures surviving. This example in the Science Museum Group collection dates to 1673; while Christie's sold this undated example in 2000 ("The Contents of Grimshaw Hall", London, 8 Mar 2000, lot 92, £8050).