Tankard 1707

This silver gilt tankard, made by Johann Georg Eben around 1700, dazzles with its intricate details and gleaming surfaces. Its cylindrical body, adorned with engraved scenes and portrait medallions, stands on spherical feet, creating a visual rhythm of round and angular forms. The reflective silver and opulent gold interplay, catching light and shadow in equal measure. The tankard functions as a complex system of signs. The engraved scenes and medallions are cultural symbols of the era and speak to power, prestige and identity. Note how the various textures – the smooth, polished silver, the richly ornamented lid, and the granulated spheres beneath – enhance the tactile and visual experience. Eben's careful attention to detail transforms a functional object into a statement of artistry. The tankard is not merely a vessel, but a discourse on materiality, representation, and the cultural values of its time.