Tankard c. 1700

This anonymous tankard features mythical imagery. Notice the dragons emblazoned near the top, symbols of potent, primal forces across numerous cultures. In East Asian iconography, dragons represent power, wisdom, and benevolence, often associated with imperial authority. We see the dragon motif elsewhere in the ancient world: consider the dragon-like serpent Apophis, who embodies chaos and threatens to consume the sun during its nightly journey in Ancient Egyptian lore. This fear of chaos manifests itself across history. The handle of the tankard itself mimics a dragon's form, suggesting the drink it carries is imbued with the dragon’s power. One could say it speaks to our collective, subconscious desire to harness primal energy. Note the creature with a ring in its mouth, a taotie, another symbol of protection. These symbols are not static; they evolve and are reborn, reflecting humanity’s enduring dialogue with the eternal forces that shape our world.