Tankard

Unknown

ca. 1675 · Engraved glass; silver mounts · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The adornment of already precious vessels by the application of silver mounts has a long tradition in England. Here the value of the tankard so beautifully embellished resided in the innovative glass technology used to make it. The vessel was perhaps imported from The Netherlands, but it may have been made in London, perhaps under the auspices of the glass merchant George Ravenscroft. The engraved decoration of the tankard appears to be English, and the silver mounts certainly are. Originally clear, to resemble rock crystal, the glass crizzled – internally broke down – shortly after it was made to give a pleasing smoky effect. Nonetheless, the tankard remained a highly valued art object.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1675

Medium

Engraved glass; silver mounts

Culture

British mounts with British or Dutch glassware

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Purchase, Rogers Fund, by exchange, Gift of Douglas Dillon, by exchange, and Gift of Mrs. Constance D. Steiglitz, in memory of her husband, Marcel H. Stieglitz, by exchange, 2016