A POLISH PARCEL-GILT SILVER TANKARD

Hieronymus Holl, who is often confused with the silversmith Hans Ophagen, was a prolific maker of tankards many decorated with mythological and religious themes. He also depicted tankards decorated with a 'social scene in the garden' as described by Frąckowska in Gdańsk Silver Tankards of the 17th and the 18th centuries. This genre scene was a favoured by Holl as well as Peter Röde II and Christian Pichgel I. These type of scenes were inspired by Dutch iconography of the early 17th century. Although often regarded as allegories of virtues, in this instance they epitomise a more modern and liberated version without moralising undertones and completed by the deer shaped finial, a symbol of love.