Tankard 1735 - 1765

Editor: Here we have a Tankard, crafted between 1735 and 1765 by George Fielding. It’s fashioned from silver and other metals, residing here at the Met. I’m struck by how weighty and substantial it looks. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Well, beyond its evident material value, we should consider the social context. This isn't just a drinking vessel; it’s a statement of status and belonging. The very existence of such a finely crafted tankard implies a society with the wealth and leisure to appreciate and display luxury items. Consider where it might have been used – public houses, private homes? How does that space shape our understanding? Editor: So it's not merely functional, it’s performative? Curator: Precisely! Think about the cultural significance of communal drinking in the 18th century. How did these gatherings function socially? Did they solidify bonds, enforce social hierarchies, or perhaps exclude certain groups? Who might have commissioned or owned it? That context profoundly alters our view of this object. Editor: I never thought about a tankard having such social weight. It seemed so… simple. Curator: Appearances can be deceiving. Decorative arts like this often served a function far beyond their practical purpose, acting as symbols of power and societal dynamics. Who uses silver, and for what purposes? Editor: This makes me rethink decorative art completely. It’s not just aesthetics; it’s history solidified into an object. Curator: Exactly! Analyzing decorative arts offers unique insights into the socio-political narratives of the past. I learned quite a lot as well, realizing that the Tankard goes way beyond the eye.