Tankard thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 67, The Whiteley Galleries

Tankard

1817-1818 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This exceptionally heavy tankard must have been designed for display rather than for use as a drinking vessel. It is one of the earliest pieces of silver made by the silversmith Edward Farrell. The design is largely based on that of late 17th century German tankards but is more eclectic incorporating neoclassical and baroque stylistic elements. The frieze of the gods on Mount Olympus is Neoclassical in execution and subject matter whereas the heavy, exuberant decoration on the base, handle and cover of the tankard owes much to the Baroque.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver-gilt
Brief description
Tankard, silver-gilt, London hallmarks for 1817-1818, mark of Edward Farrell.
Physical description
Cylindrical tankard, the base with applied grapevine and dolphin feet, the body cast and chased with mythological scenes of Mount Olympus, the handle decorated with grapevine and bacchanalian figures, the domed, hinged cover with cast and chased putti and the finial in the shape of a putti.
Dimensions
  • Height: 31cm
  • Weight: 185oz
  • Including handle width: 31cm
  • Maximum depth: 20.2cm
5,768 grams
Marks and inscriptions
  • Mark of Edward Farrell (on base and on lid)
  • London hallmarks for 1817-18 (On base; duty, sterling standard and date letter On lid; sterling standard and date letter and maker's mark On body; duty, sterling standard, date letter and leopard's head)
Credit line
Given by the A.H. Whiteley Family.
Object history
Provenance Sir William Butlin M.B.E., Christie's, London, 17th July 1968 , lot 41
Subjects depicted
Summary
This exceptionally heavy tankard must have been designed for display rather than for use as a drinking vessel. It is one of the earliest pieces of silver made by the silversmith Edward Farrell. The design is largely based on that of late 17th century German tankards but is more eclectic incorporating neoclassical and baroque stylistic elements. The frieze of the gods on Mount Olympus is Neoclassical in execution and subject matter whereas the heavy, exuberant decoration on the base, handle and cover of the tankard owes much to the Baroque.
Bibliographic reference
Anthony Phillips and Jeanne Sloane, English and French Silver-gilt from the collection of Audrey Love, Christie's, 1997, p. 80-1
Collection
Accession number
M.15-2005

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Record createdMarch 30, 2006
Record URL
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