Hanseatic tankard

A Hanseatic tankard is a type of drinking vessel historically used in northern Europe, particularly in regions associated with the Hanseatic League, such as the Baltic and North Sea coasts of Germany, the Low Countries, and Scandinavia. These tankards are characterized by a potbellied body and a slightly convex lid, often set on a shallow circular base.1

Tankards, in general, were widely used for drinking ale or beer from the mid-16th to the late 18th century across northern Europe and colonial America. They typically featured a cylindrical body, a hinged lid with a thumbpiece, and a handle. While sometimes made of horn, ivory, pottery, or porcelain, tankards were most commonly crafted from precious metals like silver or pewter. Some large tankards were commissioned by guilds or corporate bodies for ceremonial use.2