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Lot Essay
The arms are those of Borlase of Castle Horneck, Cornwall
Thomas Jenkins, one of the most prolific silversmiths of the Caroline period, was among the first London goldsmiths to produce tankards in the Scandinavian style. Typically of high quality and large size, Jenkins's tankards are known for the use of fine cast elements, such as lion couchant feet and thumbpieces. Arthur Grimwade and Judith Banister record over 100 pieces of Jenkins's work in "Thomas Jenkins Unveiled: A Leading Caroline Goldsmith" (Connoisseur 195, July 1977, pp. 173-81) note two tankards dating to 1675, one of which is the present lot. The second tankard with corded borders and a lion couchant thumbpiece was sold from the collection of J. Austin, Esq., Sotheby's London, November 1, 1956, lot 79.
Thomas Jenkins, one of the most prolific silversmiths of the Caroline period, was among the first London goldsmiths to produce tankards in the Scandinavian style. Typically of high quality and large size, Jenkins's tankards are known for the use of fine cast elements, such as lion couchant feet and thumbpieces. Arthur Grimwade and Judith Banister record over 100 pieces of Jenkins's work in "Thomas Jenkins Unveiled: A Leading Caroline Goldsmith" (Connoisseur 195, July 1977, pp. 173-81) note two tankards dating to 1675, one of which is the present lot. The second tankard with corded borders and a lion couchant thumbpiece was sold from the collection of J. Austin, Esq., Sotheby's London, November 1, 1956, lot 79.