A wonderful piece of German guild history — this antique pewter presentation tankard (a “Zunftkanne”) was made to honor the carpenters’ guild, known in German as the “Zimmerer.” Standing about 11” tall on a pedestal foot, it features a hinged lid crowned with a pomegranate-form thumbpiece, and the body is beautifully hand-engraved in Gothic script with a dedication to the “honorable craft of carpenters,” surrounded by delicate leaf and floral scrollwork. The base carries a pewterer’s touchmark of a standing figure with initials “Sch.”

What makes this piece extra special is the included handwritten provenance note — an aged, folded paper documenting the tankard as a gift presented to the carpenters, adding a wonderful layer of history for the next steward of this piece. The body is solid, with no dents or repairs; the lid hinge is a touch stiff with age but functions. A striking display piece for collectors of European trade guild pewter, Germanic decorative arts, or craft-history memorabilia.

Etsy Tags: German pewter, guild tankard, Zunftkanne, antique flagon, carpenters guild, Zimmerer, Gothic engraving, presentation piece, trade guild antique, German antique, pewter stein, 19th century pewter