Images(27)

Tankard

Date1700-1720

Marked by Benjamin Wynkoop (1675 - 1751)

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City

MediumSilver

DimensionsOH: 6 15/16 × OW (incl. handle and edge of lid) 8 1/8 × Diameter (foot) 5 5/8in. (17.6 × 20.6 × 14.3cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2022-9

DescriptionSilver tankard: Applied, molded baseband beneath an applied band of stamped or milled leaves supports a straight-sided tapered body with applied band at slightly flared lip. Stepped, flat cover with engraved edge and engraved, serrated flange at front; center of lid engraved with entwined mirror cypher inside two bands of engraved foliage. Corkscrew thumbpiece and molded five-knuckle hinge-plate with wirework and trifid-shaped engraved drop. Scroll handle with cast, scalloped terminal in the form of a head over clasped hands, with ram's head below and flanking caryatid figures. One vent hole on underside of upper handle juncture and three vent holes on underside of handle terminal.
Label TextThe broad stance, flat lid, corkscrew thumbpiece, and rich embellishment of this tankard exemplify the Dutch influence found in New York tankards.
InscribedEngraved on lid with script mirror cypher "RBM" and engraved on handle in block letters "BR (conjoined) / M*M.
MarkingsMarked in relief "W•K/B•" within a heart shaped reserve twice on top of lid, twice to left of handle, and once on bottom of body.
ProvenanceChristie's, New York, 20 January 2022, lot 190
S. J. Shrubsole