Tankard

Art Historical Context

This elegant pewter tankard, crafted by William Will between 1764 1798, exemplifies finest traditions of colonial American metalwork. Standing at 8 1/8 inches tall, it served as a practical yet prestigious drinking vessel for ale or beer in households across the early United States. Pewter, an alloy primarily of tin with traces of antimony and copper, offered an accessible shine rivaling silver, making it a staple for middle-class tables during the Revolutionary era. William Will, active during a pivotal time bridging British colonial rule and the young republic, represented the peak of American pewtersmithing. His work, housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflects meticulous handcrafting techniques like casting, spinning, and chasing—methods that ensured durability and subtle ornamentation. Such tankards were not just utilitarian; they symbolized hospitality and craftsmanship in a burgeoning nation. A generous gift from Mrs. J. Insley Blair in 1939, this piece invites us to toast the ingenuity of early American artisans, whose everyday objects wove artistry into daily life.