Tankard 19th century

This silver tankard was made by Elkington & Co. in England, though its date is unknown. The company was known for electroplating, a new technology at the time, but this looks like solid silver. This tankard presents us with a fascinating window into 19th-century revivals of earlier historical styles. Notice how the form recalls German Renaissance-era drinking vessels, complete with elaborate figural decoration. The display of wealth and status is clear, yet the company mass-produced silverware using industrial techniques. What was the public role of art like this? Well, it spoke to a desire for luxury goods among the growing middle class but also demonstrated Britain's imperial power and industrial might. The images might allude to specific historical or literary sources that would have resonated with educated consumers. Analyzing objects like this requires archival research into manufacturers' catalogs, design sources, and the tastes of the period. This tankard’s meaning is contingent on its social and institutional context.