18th century
Tankard with knights' joust
carved ivory with silver appliqués, height 12 cm
This 19th-century tankard represents a refined example of European artistic craftsmanship, characterized by a central body of finely carved ivory in high relief, depicting a dynamic scene of knights in combat. The ivory stem is framed by elegant silver mounts, including a molded upper rim, a domed base decorated with fluting motifs resting on small spherical feet, and a finely chased handle with volutes and phytomorphic decorations. The object fits perfectly into the prestigious tradition of tankards made of ivory and precious metals, a type of artifact that reached its peak splendor in the princely courts of Germany and Central Europe during the Baroque period, between the 17th and 18th centuries. These objects, known as Humpen, were not intended for everyday use but were conceived as parade pieces for the Wunderkammer, cabinets of curiosities, where they served to display the wealth, taste, and power of the owner. During the 19th century, historicist taste revived these forms, leading carvers to reinterpret classical themes of hunting, ancient myths, and historical battles with an almost virtuosic attention to anatomical detail and perspectival depth, making such works highly sought-after collector's items for their material preciousness and the technical complexity of the carving.
