Goudviskom met stop, met drie schepen c. 1830

Friedrich Egermann made this glass vessel, known as a "Goudviskom met stop, met drie schepen," sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Egermann was a master of glassmaking, known for his innovative techniques of staining and painting. Here, a clear glass vessel is transformed into a canvas. The painted scene of three ships is incredibly detailed, showing Egermann's command of the brush. Notice the gilded highlights around the neck and stopper, adding a touch of opulence. But it is the glass itself, its transparency and capacity to be shaped, which enables this tour-de-force. Egermann was working at a time when glass production was becoming increasingly industrialized. But, like the hand-painted decoration, the making of specialized objects like this one was still a craft-based activity requiring skill and experience. Appreciating the artistry and labor involved in the production of this vessel allows us to reconsider the value and status of decorative arts.