What Is a Tankard?
A tankard is a large, cylindrical cup that includes a handle, thumb piece and often a hinged lid that can be flipped on top of the vessel. The tankard is often associated with Medieval Europe and beer drinking. Tankards made in traditional styles are commercially available today. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The tankard was used as a drinking vessel for ale and other types of beer consumed in parts of Western Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries, according to an encyclopedia entry at dictionary.com. Tankards were especially popular in the British Isles, Germany and Scandinavia. Tankards were often used in alcohol-fueled ceremonies and celebrations.
Traditional Materials and Developments
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Tankards were traditionally made from precious metals like silver and pewter, and are still made from these metals today. Tankards of bygone years were also made of animal horns, ivory and ceramic materials, according to dictionary.com. During the 17th century, certain large tankards appeared for recreational and ceremonial imbibing among the rich and powerful.
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Tankards Today
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Tankards made of traditional and other materials are manufactured and commercially available today, and their popularity has increased with a public interest in medieval culture and history. Tankards are often considered gifts and collectibles among medieval culture enthusiasts, and are available online from specialty sites like strongblade.com. A list of wholesale tankard providers in the United Kingdom is available at eSources (see Resources).
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit silver tankard image by paul mitchell from Fotolia.com
