Tankard 1735 - 1736

This tankard was made in England by Edward Pocock sometime in the early 18th century. It is made of silver, and is decorated with a coat-of-arms. Objects like this operated as a form of social currency. They were not simply functional items. The tankard is a symbol of wealth and status, intended for display, and the armorial engravings demonstrate that it was probably commissioned by a wealthy family who used it to serve drinks. The tankard could have been displayed in the home, used at social gatherings, or given as a gift to solidify relationships. It's a small window into the social life of the elite in the Georgian period. Historians consult probate records, trade directories, and guild archives, to understand the provenance and the social context of pieces like this. By studying these objects, we can learn more about the people who made them, the people who used them, and the society in which they lived.