Tankard 1725 - 1750

This Tankard was made by Benjamin Wynkoop, a silversmith working in colonial New York during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Wynkoop’s tankard offers a glimpse into the intricate world of early American craftsmanship and its connections to commerce, class, and identity. Silver objects like this weren't merely functional; they were potent symbols of status and wealth in a society still grappling with the legacies of European colonialism and the emergence of new social hierarchies. Wynkoop, as a craftsman, occupied a unique position in this society; his skill allowed him entry into elite circles, yet his labor also marked him as a tradesman. Consider for a moment who might have used this tankard. What kind of stories would it tell? This tankard offers a window onto the complex interplay of power, identity, and material culture in early America.