Tankard c. 1707 - 1708

This silver tankard was made by Robert Cooper, a silversmith active around the turn of the 18th century. It stands as an artifact from a time of immense social and political change in England. Consider the rituals of communal drinking in the 17th and 18th centuries. What did it mean to share a drink from such a vessel? These traditions can reveal how social status was both reinforced and negotiated. This tankard, with its coat of arms, speaks to identity, particularly the heritability of status and power. It's a reminder that the things we use every day are often laden with meaning, reflecting and shaping our understanding of ourselves and our place in society. Think about the weight of this object, both literally and figuratively. What burdens of history does it carry? What connections does it evoke between past and present?