Tankard
1735–45
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 8 3/8 x 8 in. (21.3 x 20.3 cm); 33 oz. 13 dwt. (1046 g) Lip: Diam. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm) Base: Diam. 5 9/16 in. (14.1 cm)
Classification
Tankard
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Edward Pearce Casey, 1941
Accession Number
41.112.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver tankard, crafted by Jonathan Clarke between 1735 and 1745, exemplifies the refined metalwork of colonial America. Standing about eight inches tall and weighing over two pounds, the vessel features a sturdy cylindrical body with a domed lid and substantial base, typical of drinking vessels used in prosperous households and taverns of the period. Its substantial silver construction highlights the material’s dual role as both functional object and display of wealth. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing, the tankard reflects the growing sophistication of American...