Tankard c. 1710

This tankard was made by Peter Van Dyck, a colonial silversmith active in the early 18th century. It's crafted from sterling silver, a material prized for its luster and malleability. The silversmith would have likely started with a flat sheet of silver, hammering and shaping it over various stakes to achieve the tankard's cylindrical form. Notice the subtle hammer marks, a trace of the maker’s hand. The handle, cast separately, is embellished with delicate ornamentation, reflecting the period's taste for decorative flourishes. The level of detail suggests considerable skill and time investment, and in a pre-industrial context, silver objects like this signified wealth and status. Drinking vessels were a common form for silversmiths, and the tankard form was likely influenced by European examples brought over during trade. This piece beautifully illustrates how even a functional object can embody artistic expression, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.