Serpentine Flagon
Tankard
1631-1632 (made)
1631-1632 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This 'flagon' or tankard would have been used as a personal drinking vessel for a wealthy individual, and would probably have contained ale or beer. The body is made of the mineral serpentine, the name of which is perhaps taken from its resemblance to snake skin. It is set as a tankard in silver-gilt mounts.
Materials & Making
Serpentine is often variegated in colour, and can range from a pale greenish or yellow to a rich red or brown through to a deep green. Although commonly called a marble, serpentine is a relatively soft material, and can be turned on a lathe. From the 16th century there was a thriving mining industry in Saxony, Germany, which produced large numbers of serpentine vessels for export. These were deliberately turned with small protrusions to hold the decorative mounts. The serpentine vessels for export were primarily tankards of standard sizes and shapes, and 'mazers' or bowls. These were fitted with silver or silver-gilt mounts by goldsmiths in such trading cities as London, Norwich and York.
Ownership & Use
From the mid-16th century such exotic materials as horn, glass, alabaster and marble often replaced the traditional use of metal for personal drinking vessels. By the 1630s in England the tankard was no longer in fashion in court circles because its use was widespread throughout society. Its shape and mounts subsequently became simplified and standardised.
This 'flagon' or tankard would have been used as a personal drinking vessel for a wealthy individual, and would probably have contained ale or beer. The body is made of the mineral serpentine, the name of which is perhaps taken from its resemblance to snake skin. It is set as a tankard in silver-gilt mounts.
Materials & Making
Serpentine is often variegated in colour, and can range from a pale greenish or yellow to a rich red or brown through to a deep green. Although commonly called a marble, serpentine is a relatively soft material, and can be turned on a lathe. From the 16th century there was a thriving mining industry in Saxony, Germany, which produced large numbers of serpentine vessels for export. These were deliberately turned with small protrusions to hold the decorative mounts. The serpentine vessels for export were primarily tankards of standard sizes and shapes, and 'mazers' or bowls. These were fitted with silver or silver-gilt mounts by goldsmiths in such trading cities as London, Norwich and York.
Ownership & Use
From the mid-16th century such exotic materials as horn, glass, alabaster and marble often replaced the traditional use of metal for personal drinking vessels. By the 1630s in England the tankard was no longer in fashion in court circles because its use was widespread throughout society. Its shape and mounts subsequently became simplified and standardised.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Serpentine Flagon (popular title) |
| Materials and techniques | Serpentine (a mineral from Saxony, Germany), mounted in silver gilt |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Maker's mark 'WR' under an arch in a plain shield
Hallmarked for 1631-1632 |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
MOUNTED NATURAL CURIOSITIES European collectors mounted natural curiosities such as shells, coconuts, or unusual stones to emphasise their rarity and value. As European trade expanded in Asia, Africa and the Americas after 1600, these objects became less unusual. By the 1630s mounted cups could be found in households below the level of the nobility. They might be displayed with other treasures such as porcelain or collections of unmounted shells and coral.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Purchased with funds from C. J. Jackson |
| Object history | Made in London by an unidentified craftsman |
| Summary | Object Type This 'flagon' or tankard would have been used as a personal drinking vessel for a wealthy individual, and would probably have contained ale or beer. The body is made of the mineral serpentine, the name of which is perhaps taken from its resemblance to snake skin. It is set as a tankard in silver-gilt mounts. Materials & Making Serpentine is often variegated in colour, and can range from a pale greenish or yellow to a rich red or brown through to a deep green. Although commonly called a marble, serpentine is a relatively soft material, and can be turned on a lathe. From the 16th century there was a thriving mining industry in Saxony, Germany, which produced large numbers of serpentine vessels for export. These were deliberately turned with small protrusions to hold the decorative mounts. The serpentine vessels for export were primarily tankards of standard sizes and shapes, and 'mazers' or bowls. These were fitted with silver or silver-gilt mounts by goldsmiths in such trading cities as London, Norwich and York. Ownership & Use From the mid-16th century such exotic materials as horn, glass, alabaster and marble often replaced the traditional use of metal for personal drinking vessels. By the 1630s in England the tankard was no longer in fashion in court circles because its use was widespread throughout society. Its shape and mounts subsequently became simplified and standardised. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.92-1914 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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