Tankard
ca. 1763
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 7 1/2 x 8 9/16 in. (19.1 x 21.7 cm); 40 oz. 2 dwt. (1247.6 g) Lip: Diam. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm) Base: Diam. 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm)
Classification
Tankard
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Isaac Gibson Jaffray, in memory of her husband, 1898
Accession Number
98.1.3
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver tankard, crafted by New York silversmith Thomasersley around 1763, exemplifies the colonial American craftsmanship during the pre-Revolutionary era. at 7½ inches tall with a substantial 40-ounce weight, it features a flared lip (4¾ inches in diameter) and sturdy base (5⅞ inches), designed for hearty toasts with ale or beer. Hamersley's work reflects the Queen Anne style popular in British-American silver, characterized by its graceful proportions and functional beauty. Tankards like this were prized possessions of the colonial elite, symbolizing wealth and hospitality. The...