Kelkglas met het wapen van Veere c. 1725 - 1750

This is an anonymous, clear glass ‘Kelkglas met het wapen van Veere’ which now resides in the Rijksmuseum. The etched glass tells us about the growth of civic identity in the Netherlands. At its center is the coat of arms of the town of Veere, flanked by two lions, symbolizing civic pride and identity. The production of luxury goods such as this, shows the economic prosperity of the Dutch Republic at this time. The presence of such objects in museums today demonstrates the cultural capital they possess. To further understand the context of this artwork, we could delve into the archives of the town of Veere, examining its trade records, civic documents, and the social networks of its inhabitants. By doing so, we recognize the importance of art as a product of specific social and institutional conditions.