Tankard

1760-1780

Maker

John David, Sr. (1736-1794)

Measurements

7 3/8 in x 7 1/2 in x 5 1/8 in

Materials

Silver

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Mrs. Bernard Peyton

Accession Number

1980.108

Inscription

The “I•DAVID” touchmark in a rectangle is stamped three times around the center of the outside bottom; “DEJ” is engraved on the front of the body; “1761 Charles G. Ridgely – 1785 / Nicholas Ridgely – 1830 / Anne Ridgely du Pont – 1898 / Amelia Eliz-abeth du Pont. / 1924 Anne du Pont Peyton / Bernard Peyton – Dec. 18, 1975” were engraved at different times on the outside bottom along with the Ridgely Crest.

Condition Notes

The lid is a replacement made of modern silver.

Provenance

The provenance from the time of Charles Greenberry Ridgely is the same as that of the salver (acc. no. 79.223). The original owner of the tankard is not known.

The tankard provenance from the mid-19th century to the present parallels that of other silver in the Historic Odessa collection, accession numbers 1979.222.1-.4, 1979.223, and 1979.224.

Comments

This silver tankard – a lidded communal drinking vessel used on special occasions – served many functions, like other silver forms. Beautifully crafted of a precious metal, they served practical roles in dining and entertaining. In addition, they embodied wealth. The thick walls of this tankard did not improve its appearance or utility as much as increase its weight and consequent value.  The monogram engraved on the body announced the owner and protected his investment.

The interwoven DEJ initials have not been identified.  Convention dictated that they likely stood for husband and wife of a last name beginning with E.  Subsequent ownership lay in the Charles Greenberry Ridgely family.  Other Ridgely family silver includes a tea service (acc. nos. 1979.222.1–.3, 1979.224).

Bibliography

Ian M.G. Quimby, American Silver at Winterthur (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1195), cat. 336.