Tankard 18th century

This tankard was made in the Erfurt Manufactory. The body of the tankard is earthenware, glazed with a creamy tin-oxide wash, and decorated with simple but evocative floral motifs. The handle and lid are pewter. The tankard body was formed by a potter on a wheel and then fired to create a durable form. Pewter elements were cast and then integrated into the ceramic form. The painted decoration is applied directly to the tin glaze, which makes for vibrant colors and crisp lines. Notice how the flowers and birds, rendered in a slightly naive style, are more stylized than naturalistic. This was a conscious aesthetic choice, and reflects the tastes of the time, but also the capabilities of the Erfurt Manufactory workshop. The tin-glazed earthenware speaks to the rise of mass production, while the decoration retains the mark of the individual hand. Recognizing these tensions helps us appreciate the historical and cultural significance of such an object, reminding us that even everyday items carry a story of labor, aesthetics, and consumption.