Tankard 1700 - 1725

Curator: Welcome! We’re standing before a pewter tankard, estimated to have been crafted between 1700 and 1725, now residing here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It has such a utilitarian look; sturdy, weighty…somehow suggesting dimly lit taverns and hearty company. I see strength in its plain form, you know? Curator: Exactly! These tankards were ubiquitous. Imagine the social contexts: alehouses bustling with political discourse, merchants sealing deals over foamy brews. Editor: The composition is deceptively simple—a cylinder grounded by those banded, concentric lines. I notice how the curves of the handle are mirrored in the lid's finial. And the subdued color emphasizes the metallic grain. Curator: And note its material: pewter. Cheaper than silver, accessible to a broader merchant class seeking to emulate aristocratic dining culture without the expense. Editor: It seems a reflection of its time. The way the light interacts with the brushed metal surface gives a visual pleasure in this understated vessel. Curator: Beyond visual appeal, this object tells a tale of evolving social strata. Rising economic power expressed through these objects is fascinating. One wonders about the maker, the people who gathered, sharing laughter and debate. Editor: It's functional yet beautiful. What draws my eye now are the subtle textures. This wear makes it all the more engaging, don’t you think? It's seen life, been held by hands now dust, it almost seems. Curator: In that wear and tear lies history. Each mark a possible story from an artisan's shop floor to festive gatherings, echoing society in flux, a vessel not only for drink but also for the flow of social interactions. Editor: I've gained new eyes here today, seeing how its form represents larger societal trends, rather than only material and shape. Thank you for adding depth to its visual weight for me. Curator: A pleasure. It is always the intention to create dialogue to elevate how we view and question history through crafted materials.