Tankard c. 1694 - 1695

This Tankard was made by Samuel Dell, around the turn of the 18th century, and it's crafted entirely of silver. The creation of such a piece involved a range of techniques. The body was likely raised from a flat sheet, hammering the metal over a stake to gradually form its cylindrical shape. The handle was probably cast, and then carefully soldered onto the body. Note the precise details around the hinge. Silver was a luxury material, and this tankard speaks to the prosperity of its original owner. It reflects not only wealth, but also the skilled labor required to transform raw metal into a refined object. Silversmiths like Dell were highly trained artisans, and their work was a testament to the value placed on craftsmanship in this period. Considering objects like this allows us to move beyond the traditional art history, and think about the intersection of craft, design, and materiality.