Tankard
1725–50
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Overall: 7 11/16 x 7 3/16 in. (19.5 x 18.3 cm); 28 oz. 12 dwt. (889.1 g) Base: Diam. 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm) Lip: Diam. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)
Classification
Tankard
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Alphonso T. Clearwater, 1933
Accession Number
33.120.510
Art Historical Context
This elegant silver tankard, by renowned Boston silversmith Edward between 1725 and 1750, exemplifies the finest colonial American craftsmanship. Measuring nearly 8 inches tall and weighing a substantial 28 ounces, it was designed for hearty toasts with ale or punch, its hinged lid and sturdy handle making it both functional and luxurious. Winslow, active in Boston's thriving silver trade, produced pieces that rivaled European imports, blending English Queen Anne influences with emerging American ingenuity. Tankards like this were prized status symbols among the colonial elite, showcasing wea...