Fragment of a tankard (schnelle) with the Conversion of Paul c. 1560 - 1580

This is a fragment of a tankard, or schnelle, crafted by Peter Knütgen, depicting the Conversion of Paul. Imagine the cultural and religious tensions of the time, the Reformation still echoing through Europe, and how faith and identity were intimately entwined. This piece is not merely decorative; it's a statement. The conversion of Paul is a powerful symbol of transformation and adherence to a set of beliefs. Consider, also, that the tankard itself was a communal object, used in gatherings where ideas and beliefs were shared, debated, and solidified. Drinking vessels such as this were often decorated with imagery relating to civic identity, religious identity, and other important events. It would be passed from person to person, each holding not just a drink, but also a piece of shared identity. It makes you wonder about the conversations and the sense of belonging that this object once facilitated.