Tankard (schnelle) with the life of Jonas and two coats of arms c. 1574 - 1600

This is a tankard made by Christian Knütgen, an object whose very form speaks to its function. Crafted from a pale material, its cylindrical body rises with a slight taper, lending it both stability and a sense of upward movement. Notice how the surface is not smooth but textured, almost geological. The incised decorations wrap around the vessel, portraying scenes from the life of Jonas and heraldic symbols, creating a layered narrative that blends the religious with the secular. The handle, a simple curve, mirrors the body's own gentle lean, adding to the overall harmony. The tankard's monochromatic palette invites us to focus on the play of light and shadow across its form, highlighting the plasticity of the material. Here, the vessel transcends its utilitarian purpose, becoming a sculptural object that engages with ideas of storytelling and identity, where the aesthetic experience is deeply intertwined with its cultural and historical context.