Tankard 1725 - 1750

This silver tankard was made by Peter Quintard, a New York silversmith born at the close of the 17th century. Quintard's Huguenot heritage deeply influenced his craft, reflecting a story of religious persecution and migration. Crafted in a society where silver objects signified wealth and status, this tankard embodies more than mere functionality. It speaks volumes about the intersection of identity, craftsmanship, and social standing in colonial America. The tankard stands as a testament to the narratives of immigrant artisans who brought European traditions to a new world, adapting and transforming their skills. Silversmiths like Quintard occupied a unique position in society, their work often adorning the tables of the elite, solidifying a connection between artistry and social class. Consider the hands that would have held this tankard, the conversations it might have witnessed, and the silent stories it carries of a world in transition. It reminds us that even the most functional objects can be vessels of cultural memory and identity.