Tankard
Unknown Artist
17th–18th century
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
Overall (without thumbpiece): 7 1/8 × 4 3/4 in. (18.1 × 12.1 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Pewter
Culture
German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mr. Robert M. Parmelee and Mrs. William L. Parker, 1916
Accession Number
16.116.83
Art Historical Context
This elegant pewter tankard, crafted by an unknown German artisan in the 17th or 18th century, exemplifies the finest traditions of European metalwork. Standing at 7 1/8 inches tall (without its thumbpiece) and 4 3/4 inches wide, it features the classic form of a lidded drinking vessel with a sturdy handle, designed for practicality and display. Pewter, an alloy of tin and other metals, was prized for its silvery luster, durability, and relative affordability compared to silver, making it a staple in middle-class households and taverns across Germany. During the Baroque and early Rococo perio...