Tankard

Hans Nicolaus Müllner

late 17th century · Silver, partly gilded · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The oval reliefs on the side and the lid of this monumental tankard contain allegories of four continents: Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. Like the Four Elements (see the Hungarian charger with this motif on display nearby), these personifications were an important part of Baroque imagery. The volume of this large tankard is very unusual for Nuremberg silver, suggesting it was specially commissioned for ritual drinking ceremonies at the festivities of a corporation or civic club. Objects of this size appear more often in Scandinavian countries and along the Baltic coast.

Artist

Hans Nicolaus Müllner

Date

late 17th century

Medium

Silver, partly gilded

Culture

German, Nuremberg

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Estate of James Hazen Hyde, 1959