Images(11)

Tankard

Date1700-1720

Marked by Cornelius Kierstede (1674–1757)

OriginAmerica, New York, New York City

MediumSilver

DimensionsH.(thumbpiece) 7 1/16"; H.(cover) 5 31/32"; H.(rim) 5 5/16"; Diam.(cover) 5 7/16"; Diam.(rim) 4 13/16"; Diam.(base) 5 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1964-270

DescriptionSilver tankard: Squat tapering body with applied molding and zigzag wire at top and bottom, and with applied cut-card work around the base. S-scroll handle with vertical double-scroll cast, engraved, and matted thumbpiece and engraved hinge plate; cast and applied mask with pendant fruit and flowers on handle, and applied cherub mask on a shaped rectangular plate at the terminal. Flat-topped stepped lid with wide rim and engraved, crenelated edge.
Label TextThis tankard features the rich style of ornament associated with Dutch-influenced silver made in early New York. It is engraved with an elaborate mirror cypher “VR” on its cover and the initials “ESVR” on its body for a later owner, Elizabeth Sanders Van Rensselaer (1771–1798).
InscribedElaborate mirror cypher within a circular foliated wreath engraved on top of cover, possibly VR for the Van Renssalaer family; "CG" in block letters engraved on face of handle, unidentified; "ESVR" in feathered script engraved on face of body for Elizabeth Van Renssalaer (1771-1798)
MarkingsMarked five times in relief in block letters "CK" within a rectangle: three times on lid and once on either side of handle
ProvenanceThe engraved initials on this tankard imply that it probably descended through Elizabeth P. Van Rensselaer (1771-1798), the first wife of Peter Edmund Elmendorf (1765-1835). The monogram on the front "ESVR" is for her and the mirror cipher on the lid "VR" is probably for her family. The initials "CG" engraved in block letters on the handle are unidentified.
The line of descent for this tankard is blurry before belonging to Elizabeth Van Rensselaer (1771-1898) and her husband Peter Edmund Elmendorf (1765-1835). From them it probably went to daughter Maria Elmendorf (1796-1869) and may have been one of the "2 Tankards" brought into her 1824 marriage to Peter Sanders (1792-1850), then to sons Peter Edmund Sanders (1827-1898) and Charles P. Sanders (1824-1891). Finally, it may have been one of the "2 Silver Tankards" in the bills of sale in 1874 transferring all the family silver to Charles P. Sanders' wife Jane Livingston Ten Broeck (1823-1898).
There is a far-flung connection between this family and Cornelius Kierstede (1674-1757), the maker of this tankard. Elizabeth Van Rensselaer (1771-1798) married in 1793 Peter Edmund Elmendorf (1764-1835), son of Mary Crooke (1721-1794) and Peter Edmund Elmendorf (1715-1765), son of Coenrad Elmendorf (1669- after 1749) and Blandina Kierstede (1682-1749) (married 1704), who was probably the cousin of Cornelius Keirstede, the silversmith.

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