THE INTEMPERANCE TANKAND: A HISTORICAL SILVER TANKARD DESIGNED BY MORITZ RETZSCH
ANOTHER PROPERTY
THE INTEMPERANCE TANKAND: A HISTORICAL SILVER TANKARD DESIGNED BY MORITZ RETZSCH

MAKER'S MARK OF TIFFANY & CO., 550 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, 1853-1870

細節
THE INTEMPERANCE TANKAND: A HISTORICAL SILVER TANKARD DESIGNED BY MORITZ RETZSCH
Maker's mark of Tiffany & Co., 550 Broadway, New York, 1853-1870
Tapering cylindrical, the body modelled and chased all over with graphic scenes of men and women engaging in acts of debauchery and drunkeness, the bifurcated handle formed as grapevine, the hinged cover with thumbpiece modelled as two intertwined men with a wine jug, the cover engraved with J.T.M. FROM W.N.M, the base engraved with an inscription, marked under base
9½in. high; 43oz. 10dwt.

拍品專文

The engraved inscription reads: "INTEMPERANCE TANKARD, Designed and Modeled by Moritz Retzsch"

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.


[SUPPLEMENTARY IMAGE CAPTION]
"The Drunkards" from Emblems of Mortality, Charleston, 1846