Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Massive Nautical Covered Tankard, NYC, NY, c. 1885

Slightly raised on four paw feet, this exceptional covered tankard's large, cylindrical body is a stunning display of repousséd shells and seaweed. Holding seven pints, this exceptional tankard is more a work of art than a drinking item - it is the tankard to rule all tankards!

Bordered at the top with a row of simple beading below a plain band and at the bottom with a band of repeating shells and seaweed, the ornamental repoussé work of the body excels in both design and execution. The hinged cover has a bold thumbpiece and is also covered with shells and seaweed.

Provenance:
Important American Silver, Property from the Victor Niederhoffer Collection, Sotheby's, New York, June 15, 1998, lot 1702.
Private Collection, England.
Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Prints and Broadsides, Christie's, New York, January 2021, lot 272.
Private Collection.

This rare or unique item is marked underneath 'TIFFANY & Co/ 7318 MAKERS 1422/ STERLING-SILVER/ M.' It measures 9.5 inches wide across the foot and handle by 9.25 to the top of the handle, weighs an impressive 57.40 troy ounces and has never been monogrammed. Its original gilding (quite worn by 1998) was removed in England using the reverse galvanic process sometime between 1998 and 2021. This electrical process removes the gilding without polishing, so the surface is in excellent antique condition.