Dutch Revival Embossed Brass-Plated or Low-Grade Silver Tankard
Hollowware (Tankard/Stein) · Unknown manufacturer, likely a Continental European or British workshop producing mass-market 'Old Dutch' revival wares. While it mimics the style of prominent makers like B.M. Industries, the lack of clear branding suggests a commercial souvenir or decorative production.
Pattern: Tavern/Domestic Life relief pattern; a generic decorative program featuring common 'Old Master' style genre scenes.
Type
Hollowware (Tankard/Stein)
Maker
Unknown manufacturer, likely a Continental European or British workshop producing mass-market 'Old Dutch' revival wares. While it mimics the style of prominent makers like B.M. Industries, the lack of clear branding suggests a commercial souvenir or decorative production.
Material
Likely brass, copper-alloy, or very heavily tarnished low-grade silver plate over a base metal (likely nickel silver or brass). Surface appearance indicates 'German Silver' or nickel silver with a yellowed patina, or silver plating that has worn through ('bleed-through') to a brass base.
Dimensions
Estimated at 15-20 cm in height; weight estimated at 400-600 grams. Standard individual drinking vessel size.
Description
This cylindrical tankard features a deeply embossed wrap-around scene reminiscent of 17th-century Dutch domestic life. The relief showcases a figure seated near a column and a potted plant against a brick wall, bordered by heavy horizontal ribbing at the rim. It captures the 'Old World' tavern aesthetic popular in the early 20th century.
Key Features
High-relief brickwork pattern, tavern-scene iconography, and heavy horizontal banding. The distinctive yellow-brown patina is a diagnostic indicator of non-sterling composition.
Material & Composition
Likely brass, copper-alloy, or very heavily tarnished low-grade silver plate over a base metal (likely nickel silver or brass). Surface appearance indicates 'German Silver' or nickel silver with a yellowed patina, or silver plating that has worn through ('bleed-through') to a brass base.
Finish & Decoration
Embossed and chased relief depicting a domestic interior with brickwork, drapery, and a seated figure. The style is Dutch Revival with a heavy tarnish/oxidized finish intended to simulate antique age.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No hallmarks are visible in the provided image. If plated, it may bear 'EPNS' or 'Silver Plate' marks on the base. The lack of standard assay marks (like a lion passant or Minerva head) suggests it is not sterling silver.
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or die-struck relief panels rolled into a cylinder and seamed, likely with a machine-soldered base and lid hinge.
Functional Features
Includes a hinged lid (partially visible) for maintaining temperature and preventing spills, and a tall cylindrical body for large volume consumption.
Handle & Grip Details
Hollow cast metal handle attached via soldering; the handle appears to have a simple C-curve or strap design common in tavern-style vessels.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial grade die-striking. The relief lacks the fine detail of hand-chasing seen in high-end silver, appearing somewhat 'soft' or rounded in the figure's face and hands.
Authentication Indicators
The color is the primary indicator; sterling silver tarnishes to black/purple/grey, whereas this item displays the yellowish/brownish hue of copper-alloys or aged nickel silver. The lack of crisp assay marks also points to a non-precious metal.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in Germany, the Netherlands, or England (specifically Birmingham) for the export or decorative gift market.
Era & Period
Dutch Revival / Late Victorian Revival (c. 1890–1930). This period saw a surge in interest for 'Old World' tavern scenes and Baroque-inspired domesticity.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900–1930. The sharpness of the embossed brickwork and the specific style of the figure's drapery point to early 20th-century mass production.
Cultural Significance
Represents the Romanticism and Historical Revival movements where industrial-age consumers sought products that evoked pre-industrial, 'cozy' European history.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Significant surface oxidation, heavy tarnish, and potential 'bleeding' of the base metal through the plating. No visible structural dents, but the hinge alignment appears slightly worn.
Value Estimate
$25 - $65 USD. Value is based on decorative appeal rather than metal content, as it is likely not sterling silver.
Care & Maintenance
Gentle cleaning with mild soap and water; avoid abrasive silver polishes if it is plated, as this will likely strip the remaining silver layer to reveal the brass underneath.
Similar Pieces
B.M. Mounts Silver Plate Tankards, I.S. Co. Dutch Scene Steins, or authentic 18th-century Dutch Brass Tobacco Jars (the latter being hand-hammered rather than die-pressed).
Interesting Facts
Items like this were very popular in the 'Den Decor' and 'Man Cave' equivalents of the 1920s, often sold in tobacco shops or as decorative accents for home bars.