Tankard

British mounts with British or Dutch glassware

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 509

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.

Tankard, Engraved glass; silver mounts, British mounts with British or Dutch glassware

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Tankard, Engraved glass; silver mounts, British mounts with British or Dutch glassware
Tankard, Engraved glass; silver mounts, British mounts with British or Dutch glassware
Tankard, Engraved glass; silver mounts, British mounts with British or Dutch glassware
Tankard, Engraved glass; silver mounts, British mounts with British or Dutch glassware

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