AN 18TH CENTURY CEREMONIAL BURR BIRCH PEG-TANKARD, NORWEGIAN...

Hammer

£600

AN 18TH CENTURY CEREMONIAL BURR BIRCH PEG-TANKARD, NORWEGIAN, CIRCA 1750-1800

the well-figured drum with a moulded lip and foot rim, the domed lid carved with a stylised lion amongst foliage, the bold and floral-carved handle with a recumbent lion thumbpiece and flowerhead carved hinge lug, on three shallow lion-carved supports, underside stamped with the initials PTS. 23cm high

This type of tankard was traditionally communally used at weddings and other family celebrations. The term ‘peg’ refers to marks historically placed inside the drum to indicate the volume of drink consumed by an individual as the tankard was passed around. For a comparable example, see the Victoria & Albert Museum collection, London, acc. no. 577-1891.