Silver Tankard c. 1936

Horace Reina rendered this silver tankard, a vessel brimming with cultural echoes. Note the elaborate monogram, a flourish akin to personal heraldry, proclaiming ownership and lineage. Such emblems, like ancient crests, served as more than mere identification; they were declarations of identity, laden with ancestral pride. Observe, too, the decorative frieze near the base, a repeating motif that whispers of classical origins, reminding us of Grecian urns and Roman reliefs. These patterns are not simply aesthetic; they are mnemonic devices, triggering a subconscious awareness of the past. Think of how the serpent, once a symbol of healing and wisdom, has coiled through history, shedding its skin to become a signifier of temptation and deceit. Similarly, the motifs adorning this tankard have undergone transformations, their meanings shifting with the currents of time. The weight of history is palpable here. The tankard is more than a drinking vessel; it is a repository of memory.