Peg tankard 1703 - 1704

Editor: Here we have a peg tankard crafted in silver by Henry Muston between 1703 and 1704. It strikes me as simultaneously functional and quite stately. What can you tell me about this object? Curator: This tankard, beyond its obvious utility, resonates with echoes of ritual and social structure. Silver itself, gleaming under candlelight, symbolized prosperity and status. What catches my eye, though, is the "peg" element implied in its name. These tankards often had pegs or marks inside, dictating how much each person should drink in turn. Editor: Like a visual cue for shared consumption? Curator: Precisely. Think about the symbolic weight of communal drinking in that era. It’s about agreements, contracts, camaraderie, even hierarchy. Each sip became a tiny enactment of social cohesion. The tankard, therefore, wasn't just a drinking vessel, it was a tool that helped to reinforce social order. It’s a cultural script made tangible. Do you see any other symbols that seem pertinent? Editor: Now that you mention it, that figure acting as a sort of handle to lift the lid...Is that another indicator? Curator: The small, almost hidden figure on the lid, seems a little sentinel, doesn't it? What emotions does it inspire? Perhaps of something being guarded, watched over, carefully controlled, even beyond the ritual of toasting together? The craftsmanship further elevates it, transforming the act of drinking into a semi-sacred occasion. Editor: I hadn't considered that, it's intriguing how an everyday object can hold such deep social meanings. It makes you wonder what unspoken customs went along with using it. Curator: Indeed. Everyday life imbued with unspoken symbols, isn’t it fascinating?