The tankard is of a type common in the 16th Century.
It has a hinged lid and a rim mount and foot pierced with strapwork, further embellished with acanthus borders; a mask in relief appears on the front and the handle represents a harpie.
The tankard appears in the 1690 Devonshire Schedule, an inventory recording an immense bequest from Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire (1619-1689), to her daughter Anne, Countess of Exeter (1649-1703).
In the section ‘Agats and other Stones’ is noted: ‘A Spleene Stone fflagon Garnisht with Silver Guilt.’
