Tankard 4477218 220252006 2008-06-18T23:43:29Z 76.5.52.218 /* Lead leeching from pewter */ {{Drinkware}} {{otheruses}} [[Image:Pewter Tankard.jpg|thumb|left]] A '''tankard''' is a form of [[drinkware]] consisting of a large, roughly [[cylinder (geometry)|cylindrical]], drinking cup with a single handle. Tankards are usually made of [[silver]], [[pewter]], or [[glass]], but can be made of other materials, for example [[clay]] or [[leather]].<ref>[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=58893#s2 Tankard at British History Online]</ref> A tankard may have a hinged [[lid]], and tankards featuring glass bottoms are also fairly common. Tankards are shaped and used similarly to [[beer stein]]s. ==Glass bottoms== Tankards are often found with glass bottoms. The legend is that the glass bottomed tankard was developed as a way of refusing the [[King's shilling]], i.e. conscription into the British army or navy. The drinker could see the coin in the bottom of the glass and refuse the drink, thereby avoiding conscription. In actuality the glass bottom merely allowed the drinker to judge the clarity of their drink while forgoing the expense of a fragile pint glass.<ref>[http://www.search.revolutionaryplayers.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?txtKeywords=beer&lstContext=&lstResourceType=&lstExhibitionType=&chkPurchaseVisible=&txtDateFrom=&txtDateTo=&originator=%2Fengine%2Fsearch%2Fdefault%5Fhndlr%2Easp&page=&records=&direction=&pointer=96&text=0&resource=266 Revolutionary Players Pewter Tankards]</ref> ==Lead leaching from pewter== In previous centuries, the pewter used to make tankards often contained lead, which exposed the drinker to medical effects ranging from heavy metal poisoning to [[gout]]. <ref>[http://www.dcnutrition.com/News/Detail.CFM?RecordNumber=299 Ease Gout Pain]</ref> This effect was exacerbated in [[cider]] drinking areas such as Somerset, UK, as the acid qualities of the cider leached out the [[lead]] content from the [[pewter]] more quickly. [[Clay]] tankards became prevalent in this area. Pewter is now widely lead-free. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/b/brass_tankard.aspx An ancient Middle Eastern tankard at the British Museum] [[Category:Drinkware]] {{cooking-tool-stub}} [[fi:Olutlasi#Kolpakko]]