This magnificent and large antique Swedish silver tankard has a plain cylindrical form onto three feet, in the classic 17th century pegged tankard style.
The surface of the tankard is plain and unembellished with an applied bead decorated border to the rim.
This antique Swedish silver tankard retains the original hallmarked domed hinged cover encircled with an impressive chased decorated tied oak leaf festoon to the convex rounded rim.
The surface of the cover is further embellished with a broad band of exceptional chased strapwork ornamentation, incorporating floral, scrolling leaf and mask designs.
The upper plateau of the cover features an impressive Swedish memorial coin; the coin bears the portrait of Frederick I wearing wig, mantle and cuirass and Ulrika Eleonora wearing gala dress, and is signed 'FRIDERIC ET ULRICA EL.D.G.REX ET REG.SVEC.'
This quart tankard is fitted with a S scroll handle with an impressive shield shaped terminal in addition to a large bulbous thumbpiece to the upper portion.
The broad handpiece is ornamented with cast and applied strapwork decoration, incorporating a mask design to the upper portion, all on a matte background.
The imposing cast silver thumbpiece is embellished with further strapwork and mask ornamentation, incorporating large scrolling leaf designs.
This impressive tankard is supported by three cast and applied silver spherical feet, reflecting the same design as that of the thumbpiece.
Each foot conjoins the body via a large symmetrical strapwork design, displaying the style ornamentation to the feet and thumbpiece.
The interior of the tankard retains the original gilding.
The hallmarks to the body and cover of this impressive tankard include:
Maker's mark: MÖLLENBORG/GM (Gustaf Möllenborg)
Silver quality/purity mark: Three Crowns National mark (Swedish, .830, 830/1000)
Town mark: Crowned Head (Stockholm)
Date mark: U6 (1898)
NOTE: The name 'peg tankard' is derived from a vertical row of pegs/convex notches to the interior of the body, used to measure how much alcohol was drunk as the piece was passed around a table. This impressive example of antique silverware reflects the shape and design of a peg tankard, however bears a smooth interior.
Maker: Gustaf Möllenborg
Date: 1898
