Tankard

Art Historical Context

This elegant silver tankard, crafted by New York silversmith John Roux around 1725, exemplifies the finest colonial American silverwork. Standing at 7 1/8 inches tall a substantial 35-ounce weight, it features a baluster shape, flared lip (4 5/8 inches in diameter), and sturdy base (5 5/8 inches across), designed for serving ale or beer at gatherings. Le Roux, active in early 18th-century New, marked his pieces with a distinctive touchmark, reflecting the Huguenot silversmithing traditions brought by European immigrants. Tankards like this were prized status symbols among America's emerging merchant class, showcasing the skill of local artisans who rivaled their London counterparts. The medium of silver—expensive and labor-intensive—highlighted wealth and hospitality in colonial homes. Its presence in The American Wing at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, gifted from Giovanni P. Morosini's collection in 1932, underscores its role in preserving early American craftsmanship. Visitors will appreciate how this hefty vessel evokes the lively taverns and formal dinners of the 1720s, a time when New York was a bustling port blending Old World techniques with New World ambition.