Tankard
1821–71
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
H. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)
Classification
Tankard
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, in memory of her husband, 1940
Accession Number
40.184.15a, b
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of 19th American craftsmanship with this charming pewter tankard by Roswell Gleason, a master silversmith and pewterer from Medford, Massachusetts. Standing at just 5⅛ inches tall, this compact vessel was designed for everyday use—perfect for pouring ale or cider during family gatherings or tavern toasts. Crafted between 1821 and 1871, Gleason's active years, it exemplifies the durability and subtle elegance of pewter, an affordable alloy of tin, antimony, and copper that brought a silvery sheen to middle-class homes before mass-produced glass and ceramics took over...