Tankard 1700 - 1701

Editor: This shiny object is a silver tankard crafted around 1700-1701 by William Penstone and it now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago. The metalwork just glows, and has this wonderful hammered texture that softens its form. It also looks incredibly heavy! What do you make of its smooth surfaces? Curator: It *does* seem weighty, doesn't it? As though it carries a quiet significance beyond its simple function as a drinking vessel. Its form evokes Baroque extravagance and Medieval craftsmanship; there is this dialogue between artistry and everyday practicality. It almost compels me to contemplate the hand that molded the metal, its form, that reflects the light...don't you think? I find myself daydreaming about boisterous taverns filled with song and shadowed corners! Editor: That is quite a daydream! I'm intrigued by the contrast you mentioned. Is that tension between Baroque ornamentation and a sort of Medieval solidity common? Curator: Precisely! Penstone’s tankard reveals the evolving tastes of the time, my dear. While embracing decorative flourish—the Baroque influence is evident in the curve of the handle, for instance, this tankard retains a certain grounded, substantial presence which seems old fashioned. Is that clear to you? What do *you* feel looking at it? Editor: I see what you mean. It feels more grounded than frivolous, despite being shiny. It almost transcends those labels. I love thinking about the person who first held it. Curator: Ah, yes! Doesn’t it just? Art is always enriched when we look with feeling... I may never drink from a tankard the same way again, thanks to you. Editor: Agreed! Looking closely reveals the layers of history.