Tankard with light brown and panels with flower scrolls c. 1700 - 1724

This tankard in the Rijksmuseum is made of earthenware and faience, featuring light brown panels adorned with delicate flower scrolls. Earthenware, being porous and relatively soft, demands skillful handling. To render it impermeable, it's coated with tin-based glaze, known as faience, allowing for vibrant decoration. The tankard's construction involves shaping the earthenware body, then meticulously applying the faience to create the blue floral patterns on top and the lower light brown panels. The beauty of this piece lies in its decoration, but it is also a testament to labor and skill. The production of earthenware and faience was a complex, multi-stage process, involving potters, painters, and kiln workers. Each stage required specific knowledge and expertise, reflecting a well-organized system of production. The combination of materials and decorative techniques exemplifies the interplay between utility and artistry, challenging any strict divide between fine art and craft.