Tankard 1900 - 1915

This tankard, made of copper and silver by Thomas G. Brown and Sons, feels like a painterly object. The way the silver is laid onto the copper, it’s like a drawing on a warm, earthy ground. It’s easy to imagine the silversmith’s hand moving across the surface, each curve and flourish a deliberate act, almost like applying paint. Look at how the silver meanders and branches out, holding its ground against the warm sheen of the copper. The contrast between the materials creates a dynamic tension, a visual push and pull, like a good abstract painting. And those little silver rivets along the bottom? They remind me of the studs on a punk jacket. This ain’t your grandma’s tea set. The tankard evokes a sense of rebellion, of breaking free from convention, but also a warmth and generosity. Maybe it’s meant for sharing a good brew with friends. It reminds me of the work of Gustav Klimt, who was playing with decorative patterning and sensual surfaces around the same time. It is a reminder that art is everywhere, not just on canvases.