Cylindrical tankard 1715 - 1725

This cylindrical tankard was made in Nuremberg, Germany by M. S., sometime between 1675 and 1775. It's a composite object: glazed earthenware, elaborately painted and embellished with a gilded silver lid and base. The tankard's surface features a lively equestrian scene. This would have required skill not only in painting, but also in the preparation of pigments and the management of the kiln. These are specialized crafts, distinct from the work of the goldsmith, who would have been responsible for the tankard's luxurious metal mounts. Drinking vessels like this one reflect not only artistic skill, but also social status. While the earthenware body speaks to a relatively accessible material, the addition of precious metal elevated the object to a luxury item, a signifier of wealth and taste. The combination of materials and techniques underscores the complex relationship between craft, design, and social context. It challenges us to look beyond traditional categories of art and appreciate the diverse forms of making that shape our material world.