Tankard 1730 - 1740

This whimsical tankard was made in Vienna out of delicate porcelain. Notice the handle, shaped like a figure in military dress; it gives you a sense of the kind of patriotic imagery that was popular at the time. Porcelain is a challenging material; it must be fired at high temperatures to achieve its characteristic translucence and strength. The painting on the surface is also fired onto the glaze, demanding considerable skill. These wares were luxury goods, emblems of status in an era of social stratification. Their appeal lay not only in their beauty but also in the high degree of craft expertise they represented. Consider the immense amount of labor involved in extracting the raw materials, refining them, shaping the tankard, firing it, and painting the scenes. All this work underpinned the culture of aristocratic Europe, with the porcelain itself acting as a vessel for social meanings. It brings up many questions about production, consumption and class.