Beaker
probably ca. 1790
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
Overall: 7 3/4 × 5 7/8 in. (19.7 × 14.9 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Pewter
Culture
Swedish, Stockholm
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1906
Accession Number
06.749
Art Historical Context
This elegant pewter beaker, crafted by Stockholm pewterer Carl Gustaf Malmborg around 1790, exemplifies the refined metalwork of late 18th-century Sweden. at 7 3/4 inches tall and 5 7/8 inches wide, it was designed as a practical yet sophisticated drinking vessel, reflecting the everyday luxury of Scandinavian households during the Enlightenment era. Pewter, an alloy primarily of tin with traces of lead and other metals, was prized for its malleability, lustrous finish, and affordability compared to silver. Swedish artisans like Malmborg, working in Stockholm's vibrant workshops, elevated the...