Beschreibung:

likely Dutch with makers mark M struck twice, the straight-sided burr wood body with twin wavy applied girdles with spiralled wire mounts between, the foot rim with a wide flanged foot, the hinged burr wood cover carved to fit the scalloped rim, centrally set with a finely engraved armorial plaque dated 1688, the silver handle with eagle thumbpiece 19cm high Heraldry: Arms: Argent a man’s heart proper between three cocks gules Crest: A cock crowing proper Motto: Per adventure Note: This fine wooden and silver-mounted tankard undoubtedly was an item of great status when commissioned and made in the late 17th century. An impressive piece such as this bringing high quality wood and silver work together would have been not just an impressive and useful object but an exotic one on a Scottish table. An object such as this would unlikely ever have been made in Scotland but seeing an example such as this made for a Scotsman shows the ties between Scotland and the Europe in the late 17th century. The origin of the tankard is still unclear but Dutch, Swiss or German examples are found with comparable features. It appears likely that the armorial engraved to the boss was engraved in Scotland rather than by the maker, the style of engraving the mantling around the armorial and the lettering all showing much more Scottish characteristics than European. It seems likely that having acquired this piece on the continent Alexander Cockburn of Caldra has had his armorial engraved on return. Although a strikingly different object the engraving to the cover would not look out of place on the central boss of a quaich of this period and this style of object and engraving is likely what Cockburn was aiming to replicate with this tankard. The Cockburn family has been connection with Caldra (3 miles south of Duns in the Scottish borders) since it was first acquired in 1554. They continuously held the lands until 1745. Perhaps unsurprisingly for an east coast borders family they have obvious and strong connections with the continent. Various branches / members of the family are recorded serving in the Swedish army and living and working in Holland, Germany and France. This international aspect to family continued later in the 18th century with travels to American, West Indies and Australia. Their influence was not limited to foreign shores and various members of the family held important positions in Scotland. Varying from active roles in the Covenanting Army, serving as Governor of Stirling Castle and navigating the turbulent balance of Royalist and Parliamentarian wars and causes of the mid-17th century the family name often appears