THE INTEMPERANCE TANKARD: A HISTORICAL SILVER TANKARD
PROPERTY FROM THE ROSEBROOK COLLECTION
THE INTEMPERANCE TANKARD: A HISTORICAL SILVER TANKARD

MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., NEW YORK, 1875, DESIGNED BY MORITZ RETZSCH

Details
THE INTEMPERANCE TANKARD: A HISTORICAL SILVER TANKARD
MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., NEW YORK, 1875, DESIGNED BY MORITZ RETZSCH
tapering cylindrical form, the body modeled and chased all over with graphic scenes of men and women engaging in acts of debauchery and drunkenness, the bi-furcated handle formed as grapevine, the hinged cover with thumbpiece modeled as two intertwined men with a wine jug, the base rim engraved TEMPERANCE BY MORITZ RETZSCH, the underside engraved with inscription Alice Rogers Jones/ from her Brother/ April 5th 1877, marked on underside and numbered 574/1451
9 ¼ in. (23.5 cm.) high; 43 oz. (1,342 gr.)
Sale room notice
Please note this lot is no longer subject to a reserve

Lot Essay

This tankard is an extremely rare example of Tiffany's allowing an artist to sign a piece made to his design. Friedrich August Moritz Retzsch (1779-1857) was a German painter and engraver who was best known for his engraved illustrations of the works of German poets and Shakespeare.

The Temperance movement, dedicated to promoting moderation or complete abstinence from intoxicating beverages, gained great popularity in the United States during the nineteenth century. The cause was advocated by churches across the country; by 1833 there were 6,000 local societies. In 1851, the state of Maine went completely dry. Other states soon followed with some form of prohibition. Graphic woodcuts and engravings of debauched drunks helped spread the moral message of the movement.

More from Important American Furniture, Folk Art and Silver

View All
View All