Tankard 1761 - 1793

This tankard was made by Henry Will, an American craftsman, most likely in the late 18th century, and it's pewter. Pewter is an alloy of tin, with small amounts of other metals like copper or antimony added for hardness. It has a satisfying heft. The tankard’s surfaces have been filed, hammered, and polished to a soft sheen. See if you can trace the concentric lathe marks on the lid – these are a direct record of the making process. Will was working in an interesting moment, when traditional craft practices were beginning to give way to industrial production. Tankards like this were once commonplace, but as new materials and manufacturing techniques emerged, pewter became less popular. Although it looks rather plain, this object embodies the skill and labor of its maker, and reminds us that even the simplest objects have a rich history behind them. So consider the material, the making, and the context, and appreciate how they all contribute to the tankard’s story.