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Lot Essay
Found in Northern Germany, serpentine was long believed to have magical powers including the ability to protect against poison. For that reason many tankards, such as the one offered here, and other drinking vessels were made from it.
Other similar examples, also unmarked but with engraved dates exist, such as a one, dated 1648, offered at Christie's London 23 November 1999, lot 111 and a silver-gilt mounted example described as German or Swedish, dated 1643 in the collection of the Victoria and Albert museum, from the Hildburgh gift. While all of these examples share similar mounts, handles and engraved coats-of-arms, the covers on the 1643 and 1648 examples are plain with pomegranate thumbpieces.
Other similar examples, also unmarked but with engraved dates exist, such as a one, dated 1648, offered at Christie's London 23 November 1999, lot 111 and a silver-gilt mounted example described as German or Swedish, dated 1643 in the collection of the Victoria and Albert museum, from the Hildburgh gift. While all of these examples share similar mounts, handles and engraved coats-of-arms, the covers on the 1643 and 1648 examples are plain with pomegranate thumbpieces.