Norwegian Ceremonial ‘Lion’ Peg Tankard
A Norwegian Ceremonial ‘Lion’ Peg Tankard of Carved and Turned Karelian Birch Burlwood the Domed Lid with Carved Lion Initialled 'HGS' and Dated 1748
With a well carved lion finial the whole resting on four lion feet
The handle with a 19th century replacement end detail
Rich dark smooth and lustrous patina
First half 18th Century
Size: 25cm high, 24.5cm dia. – 9¾ ins high, 9½ ins dia
With a well carved lion finial the whole resting on four lion feet
The handle with a 19th century replacement end detail
Rich dark smooth and lustrous patina
First half 18th Century
Size: 25cm high, 24.5cm dia. – 9¾ ins high, 9½ ins dia
These tankards are to be found made of silver as well as of finely figured wood. The earliest date to the 17th century. The lion is the Royal Norwegian emblem and so was often used as a national symbol on these tankards. In Norway it was the custom for them to be used at wedding feasts and sometimes they were used by the subsequent generation of the original owners family and so later dates and initials would be carved to the lids.
The tankards were often marked inside with a series of pegs or pins and would have been filled with wine or beer and then passed hand to hand during the feast, each guest having to drink until the next peg was showing. Considering the generous proportions of the tankard and the size of each measure of alcohol it would have been very difficult to stay sober!
The tankards were often marked inside with a series of pegs or pins and would have been filled with wine or beer and then passed hand to hand during the feast, each guest having to drink until the next peg was showing. Considering the generous proportions of the tankard and the size of each measure of alcohol it would have been very difficult to stay sober!
Norwegian Ceremonial ‘Lion’ Peg Tankard
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