Images(4)

Tankard

Dateca. 1770

Possibly by Leeds Pottery

OriginEngland, Yorkshire or Wales

MediumLead-glazed earthenware (cream-colored earthenware / creamware)

DimensionsOverall: 5 1/16 × 4 7/8 × 3 1/2in. (12.9 × 12.4 × 8.9cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2024-2

DescriptionTankard: straight-sided mug of cylindrical shape with slightly flared foot; the body with turnings to mimic coopers' hoops; trimmed inset foot; extruded ribbed and intertwined handle with leafy flower terminals, two upper and two lower; the terminals are painted green, yellow, and pink; the handle is applied opposite red and black painted decoration depicting the simplified arms of the City of London (three towers within a circular reserve divided by a chevron) surrounded by Masonic symbols including a sun, cloud with stars and all-seeing-eye, moon, beehive, square, man perched on a stool holding a compass in his right hand and wearing a secretary's jewel (square), sundial, tent, and sheath with arrows.
ProvenanceBefore 1963, unknown; ?-1963, Donald Towner (Yorkshire, England); February 13,1968 [Sotheby & Co., London, England]; 1968-?, [Archibald F. Allbrook, antiques dealer, London, England]; ?-1980, Jonathan Horne (London, England); June 24, 1980, Countess ABN (Switzerland); March 29, 2023, [Dogny Auction, Lausanne, Switzerland]; March 29-2023 - January 11, 2023 [Robert Hunter, Yorktown, VA]; January 11, 2024 - present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)