alcohol (left)

shelf 2

Demonstrating the commonality of certain forms, tall mugs for drinking beer or ale can be found in numerous cultures, as seen here in examples from China, the US, Turkey, Germany, and England. Sometimes called steins or tankards, most of these drinking vessels are ceramic, but some were made of or include other materials, such as silver and leather.

 

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An orange earthenware stein with a metal lid that is hinged to the handle. The white and blue decorations consist of dots and are primarily depicting floral imagery.

German

Stein, 1716

Stoneware with glaze and pewter

Museum Works of Art Fund 49.074

An earthenware tankard that has white, blue, orange, green, and dark brown/black glaze vertical decorations.

English

Tankard, 1700s

Earthenware with glaze

Bequest of Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Fund, by exchange and gift of William C. Talen in memory of June S. Talen 79.121.4

A rounded cream colored vessel with a square handle, decorated with geometric and flower designs in blue, green, and red.

Turkish

Tankard, 1500s–1600s

Fritware with tin glaze, polychrome metal oxides, and glaze

Bequest of Susan Martin Allien 35.753

A ceramic and salt glaze flask that is dark gray, blue, and white. The body is angular and has textured sections whereas the foot and top are rounded.

German

Screw-Top Bottle, ca. 1650–1700

Stoneware with salt glaze, enamels, and pewter

Gift of Mr. Eugene L. Garbaty 48.387

A brown stoneware tankard with a thick handle and metal lid with delicate decorative elements depicting a face and heraldry symbolism.

German

Bottle, ca. 1570

Stoneware with salt glaze and pewter

Gift of Mr. Eugene L. Garbaty 48.381