Important brass tankard by Dirk Van Erp (1860 - 1933). Circa 1905. Unsigned. Marked on the bottom with the typical artillery shell markings found on Van Erp’s early work during his Mare Island - Vallejo period: “W.N.Y. ~ 2-1905 ~ 3IN FG ~ ECP S.P.F.” This tankard was made using an artillery shell for the body and other fabricated brass parts for the lid and handle. A rifle shell is used for the finial on the lid. Copper rivets used for attachment of the handle to the body. Decorated in the Arts & Crafts manner with five engraved oak leaves surrounded by fine hammering on the body. The handle with hammering and the engraved initials “GWS”. The lid fits perfectly onto the body, with no free play and not too tight. The lower part of the lid is beautifully hammered in Van Erp’s subtle signature style and the small copper rivets holding the handle onto the body are finely hammered. Found in a Northern California estate.

SIZE: Height - 7 7/8” (20.5 cm)

NOTES: In 1900, Dirk van Erp moved to Vallejo, California, and got a job as a coppersmith at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. He began making vases from brass shell casings as gifts to friends. About 1907 van Erp began selling to art galleries. In 1908, he opened the Art Copper Shop in Oakland, and began exhibiting his work at local Arts and Crafts exhibitions. In 1909, he exhibited more than two dozen pieces at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, a World's Fair held in Seattle, Washington. His shop won a gold medal.

NO RESERVE - NO BUYER’S PREMIUM

No damage or restoration. Darkened patina.