Tankards Collection

Rejected by the Inventions Board IX - Heath Robinson
The Pilsener Pump for tapping the enemys beer; another hilariously convoluted contraption to foil the enemy during World War I from William Heath Robinson

Biergarten waitress carrying beer tankards
A Biergarten waitress carrying tankards of beer

Two women in fancy dress with tankards
Two women in fancy dress costumes comprising of knickerbockers, shirts and waistcoats, raise a tankard of beer each - presumably they re meant to be some kind of 17th century roisterers? c.1928

Sketches from New York: entertainment in a lager beer saloon, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Sketches from New York: entertainment in a lager beer saloon, 1864. 'Lager beer proper is composed of malt, hops, and water...It is lighter than the beer of England

Tavern Scene, 1692. Creator: Richard Brakenburgh
Tavern Scene, 1692

Skittles at Faggen's. Scene from Fredman's Epistle 55 by Bellman, 1868. Creator: Peter Eskilson
Skittles at Faggen's. Scene from Fredman's Epistle 55 by Bellman, 1868. "Fredmans epistlar" (English: Fredman's Epistles)

Tavern Scene with Pipe-smokers. Creator: Unknown
Tavern Scene with Pipe-smokers, Unknown date. Manner of David Teniers the Younger

Peasant Family Singing, 1640-1677. Creator: Pieter Jacobsz. Duyfhuijsen
Peasant Family Singing, 1640-1677. Woman working while family members make music

Two Men at Cards Outside a Country Inn, c.1650. Creator: Vincent Malo
Two Men at Cards Outside a Country Inn, c.1650. Attributed to Vincent Malo II

Country Inn, 1660-1702. Creator: Richard Brakenburgh
Country Inn, 1660-1702

Silver Tankard, c. 1938. Creator: Palmyra Pimentel
Silver Tankard, c. 1938

The Politician - by Hasenclever, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Politician - by Hasenclever, 1850. The author of this clever picture, Herr Hasenclever, is, we believe, resident in Munich

Eleanor Rumming, the famous alewife of England
Eleanor Rumming, the (fictional) famous alewife of England, illustration to a poem by John Skelton, Poet Laureate to King Henry VIII. 16th century

Earthenware jugs, Cappadocia, Turkey

The Brewers Society Advertisement Illustration
An advertisement illustration for the Brewers Society, showing a tabletop with four glass tankards, and a shove halfpenny board with Beer Is Best written in chalk. Date: circa 1939

The Lute Player (oil on canvas)
471386 The Lute Player (oil on canvas) by Rombouts, Theodor (1597-1637); 114x99 cm; Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp, Belgium; © Art in Flanders

Glass Tankard, 1937-38 (oil on canvas)
3963718 Glass Tankard, 1937-38 (oil on canvas) by Walters, Evan John (1893-1951); 49.2x39.5 cm; Newport Museum and Art Gallery, South Wales; © Newport Museum and Art Gallery

Merrymakers in an Inn, 1674. Creator: Adriaen van Ostade
Merrymakers in an Inn, 1674

A barmaid filling mugs... 1760-70. Creator: Giovanni Volpato
A barmaid filling mugs at left, a man holds a bottle at center, and three people sit at a table drinking at right, 1760-70

Cylindrical carved ivory tankard sleeve of the Three Graces (ivory & gilded bronze)
2632775 Cylindrical carved ivory tankard sleeve of the Three Graces (ivory & gilded bronze) by Opstal, Gerard van (1594/1604-68) (attr)

Chop room of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, Fleet Street (b / w photo)
3637551 Chop room of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub, Fleet Street (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Chop room of Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub)

The Henley Pair-Oar Race Cup (b / w photo)
1100030 The Henley Pair-Oar Race Cup (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Henley Pair-Oar Race Cup)

Postcard with an image of regalia in the Tower of London (photo)
587849 Postcard with an image of regalia in the Tower of London (photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Objects from the Duke of Edinburghs Collection, South Kensington Museum (engraving)
1613640 Objects from the Duke of Edinburghs Collection, South Kensington Museum (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Group of German army soldiers (b / w photo)
6031231 Group of German army soldiers (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Group of German army soldiers)

Man Sleeping (oil on panel)
2829377 Man Sleeping (oil on panel) by Steen, Jan Havicksz (1625-79) (school of); 25.4x20.3 cm; Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; eBristol Museums

The Lads of the Ocean, 1805 (hand-coloured engraving)
2562212 The Lads of the Ocean, 1805 (hand-coloured engraving) by Cruikshank, Isaac Robert (1789-1856) & George (1792-1878); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Beer Politicians by Edmund Harburger

Ladies Cup, Athletic Sports, Kings College School (engraving)
1104012 Ladies Cup, Athletic Sports, Kings College School (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ladies Cup, Athletic Sports, Kings College School)

The Blessing of New Taxes!!!, c. 1819 (hand-coloured engraving)
2562150 The Blessing of New Taxes!!!, c.1819 (hand-coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Group of German army soldiers (b / w photo)
6031225 Group of German army soldiers (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Group of German army soldiers)

Sketches of the South Kensington Museum (engraving)
1626045 Sketches of the South Kensington Museum (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches of the South Kensington Museum)

Taking Toll (engraving)
1621487 Taking Toll (engraving) by Gilbert, John (1817-97) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Taking Toll. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 15 December 1875)

Ancient Drinking-Vessels in the International Exhibition (engraving)
1621016 Ancient Drinking-Vessels in the International Exhibition (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Pewterer (engraving)
3646654 The Pewterer (engraving) by Amman, Jost (1539-91) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Pewterer. Illustration for Kulturgeschichtliches Bilderbuch aus drei Jahrhunderten by Georg)

"He found the old burghers, and still more their wives
3100386 " He found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary love so invaluable to true history." from Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, pub

Carved Lintel, Stabbur and Tankards (engraving)
6025276 Carved Lintel, Stabbur and Tankards (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Carved Lintel, Stabbur and Tankards)

Twelfth Night, 17th century (oil on canvas)
5888690 Twelfth Night, 17th century (oil on canvas) by Molenaer, Bartholomeus (1612-50); 54.5x82 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Traditionally Twelfth Night is celebrated on January 6th)

Peasants Celebrating Twelfth Night, 1635. Creator: David Teniers II
Peasants Celebrating Twelfth Night, 1635

Tavern Scene, 1658. Creator: David Teniers II
Tavern Scene, 1658

Peasants in a Tavern, c. 1633. Creator: David Teniers II
Peasants in a Tavern, c. 1633

The General Election - Village Politicians
Comic Postcard series - The General Election - Village Politicians. A local candidate giving a speech to the assembled clientelle at the local rural boozer... 1908

GERMAN BEER DRINKERS
Four stocky German men with their tankards enjoying a jolly good drink together! Date: 1930s

BIERGARTEN WAITRESS 1899
Biergarten waitress carrying tankards of beer. Date: 1899

German Bar Maids
Two buxom German women in traditional costume, bearing tankards of fine German beer! Date: 1930s

Cutout Christmas card in the shape of a tankard with holly, ivy leaves and horseshoe. Date: circa 1890s

German Beerhouse Waitress, carrying a mass (!) of beer tankards. The card is flanked by turnips, sausages and pretzels to complete the Germanic flavour.... Date: circa 1937

Men in pirate or sailor costume
Two men in pirate or sailor costume with beer tankards, Portsmouth, England. circa 1967

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Tankards have a rich and fascinating history, as evidenced by the rejected invention of the Heath Robinson's Inventions Board IX. These sturdy vessels were often seen in the hands of merry patrons, like the biergarten waitress effortlessly carrying beer tankards to eager customers. They were also favored by those who loved to revel in fancy dress, as depicted by two women joyfully raising their tankards in celebration. The Brewers Society recognized the significance and even featured them prominently in their advertisement illustration. Tankards held a special place in British culture too, with Eleanor Rumming, England's famous alewife, serving her renowned brews from these iconic vessels. Across borders, German barmaids expertly wielded tankards while serving frothy pints to thirsty patrons. Even Cappadocia, Turkey boasted earthenware jugs resembling tankards that added an exotic touch to their drinking traditions. Artists captured the essence of merriment associated with tankard-filled gatherings throughout history. From "The Lute Player" oil painting showcasing a jovial musician surrounded by friends clutching their beloved drinkware to "Merrymakers in an Inn, " Adriaen van Ostade's masterpiece depicting lively scenes unfolding around tables adorned with overflowing tankards. Giovanni Volpato immortalized a barmaid diligently filling mugs during 1760-70—a testament to how integral these vessels were for communal enjoyment. Not limited to mere functionality alone, artisans crafted exquisite cylindrical carved ivory sleeves featuring depictions of The Three Graces—elevating tankard aesthetics through intricate ivory and gilded bronze designs. Even modern artists found inspiration in this timeless vessel; one such example is the mesmerizing "Glass Tankard" painted between 1937-38—an ode to its enduring allure.