Tankard 1700 - 1725

Curator: Here we have a silver tankard crafted by Edward Winslow, dating back to sometime between 1700 and 1725. It resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It looks quite sturdy, almost like a chalice, though not as ornate. It has a fascinatingly sober, gleaming surface, especially given its age. Curator: Indeed. Winslow was a prominent silversmith in colonial Boston. Pieces like this were markers of status and wealth within the community, often displayed and used during social gatherings to signal one's standing. Silverware in this era was a form of portable wealth, easily melted down or repurposed as needed, making it a very valuable object to own. Editor: The little cherub at the base of the handle intrigues me. Such figures have ancient roots in various cultures as symbols of love, innocence, or divine messengers. I imagine it served a decorative as well as protective purpose. A token for a safe drinking experience. Curator: That's quite insightful. In early colonial society, a well-crafted piece like this spoke volumes. Not only about wealth, but also about the owner's connections to transatlantic trade networks and their ability to acquire luxury goods from Europe or the Caribbean. Consider its role in communal settings such as meetings, councils, or religious ceremonies. It transforms from a mere drinking vessel into a silent but powerful emblem of societal structures and interpersonal relations. Editor: This takes on much greater weight knowing it embodies aspiration, status, colonial dynamics and potentially faith-based needs all at once. That little cherub suddenly seems a bit heavier too, almost burdened by its symbolic weight. Curator: Precisely. And so, viewed through its history and material context, this tankard reveals much more than meets the eye. It serves as an aperture to Bostonian colonial society, social hierarchies, and the subtle power of objects. Editor: A fascinating demonstration of how a utilitarian object carries embedded layers of societal and personal stories.