Bacchanal (ceremonial tankard) c. 1650 - 1771

This ceremonial tankard, titled "Bacchanal," is an anonymous creation of carved ivory and silver. The tankard depicts a bacchanal, a scene from the orgiastic rites associated with Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, fertility, and theatre. It is a vision of unrestrained revelry, with its figures caught in moments of ecstatic dance and indulgence. The Bacchanal, often depicted in art, has a history of being associated with power, class, and gender dynamics. As a ceremonial object, this tankard was likely used during important social rituals. Who was present, and who was excluded? These gatherings would have served to re-affirm social positions and norms. The tankard as a whole is not just an object of beauty, but also a reflection of the stratified society that created it.