This piece is similar to a number of tankards believed to have been made in Augsburg or Ulm in the late sixteenth century. A tankard from the treasury of the Deutschen Orden in Vienna, bearing the same maker's mark, draws the closest parallels and suggests that this object has undergone later minor alterations, including the addition of the mermaid-shaped feet. The inscription on the shield 'Joh: von Aicherau K:K: Berg Rath' is a later feature and is likely to signify ownership.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Schatzkammer is one of the few collections of its kind formed in the late 20th century. The Schatzkammer, or treasury, was a new concept in the 16th century. It referred to a special chamber in which the most precious artefacts of a princely collection were housed. Gold and jewelled objects were mounted alongside exotic natural curiosities, including rock crystal, nautilus shells and ostrich eggs. Together they demonstrated not only the wonders of nature and the technical achievements of the artist, but also the intellect and culture of the patron.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.