Tankard 1798

This tankard was crafted by Johan Henrik Åkerblom, a Swedish silversmith active in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Åkerblom worked during a time of significant social and political change in Sweden, including the reign of Gustav III, known for his cultural reforms and patronage of the arts. This object is a tangible symbol of social status. The tankard, likely used for serving beer or other beverages, reflects the conventions of social life and cultural identity of the time. The elaborate engravings on the tankard suggest a desire to display refinement. The choice of material, silver, indicates the owner's wealth and social standing. Reflecting on this tankard, we might ponder the hands that held it, the conversations it witnessed, and the stories it could tell about the social dynamics of its time.