Tankard

mid-18th century
Not on view
This elegantly proportioned, gilded tankard is a late example of its type. The maker, who was a member of a well-known dynasty of goldsmiths, applied a harmonious decoration of late Baroque strapwork surrounding three bases imitating short lengths of decorative drapery, called lambrequins, each supporting an ancient bust. A cast pinecone finial surmounts the double-domed lid like a miniature monument.

Literature
Important Silver. Sale cat., Sotheby’s, New York, April 7, 1987, n.p., no. 40.
Judit H. Kolba. Hungarian Silver: The Nicolas M. Salgo Collection. London, 1996, pp. 108–9, no. 86.

References
Elemér Kőszeghy. Magyarországi ötvösjegyek a középkortól 1867-ig / Merkzeichen der Goldschmiede Ungarns vom Mittelalter bis 1867. Budapest, 1936, nos. 130 [town mark], 264 [maker’s mark].

[Wolfram Koeppe 2015]

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tankard
  • Maker: Michael May II (active 1731–76)
  • Date: mid-18th century
  • Culture: Hungarian, Brassó
  • Medium: Gilded silver
  • Dimensions: Overall: 10 1/4 x 5 5/8 in. (26 x 14.3 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Silver
  • Credit Line: Gift of The Salgo Trust for Education, New York, in memory of Nicolas M. Salgo, 2010
  • Object Number: 2010.110.58
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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