Tankard 1793 - 1796

This lidded tankard was made from silver by Samuel Alexander in the United States at the beginning of the 19th century. A seemingly simple vessel, it speaks volumes about social and economic structures of its time. The tankard reflects the rise of a merchant class and the expansion of trade networks. Silverware like this was not merely functional; it was a display of wealth and status. The craftsmanship involved signals the presence of a skilled artisan class, while the material itself hints at the complex trade routes that brought silver to American shores. The clean, understated design might suggest a shift away from overt displays of aristocracy and toward a more "republican" aesthetic, appropriate to the new nation. To fully understand the tankard, one might consult period inventories, trade records, and biographies of artisans like Alexander. Such research reveals the intricate connections between art, commerce, and social identity in early America.