Standing cup with cover 1695 - 1700

Curator: The standing cup with cover before us, crafted between 1695 and 1700, represents the apex of Baroque decorative art. Currently held at the Metropolitan Museum, it's attributed to Matthäus Baur II. Editor: My first impression is its striking ruby hue—almost jewel-like. The contrast with the silver-gilt stem and base is also quite bold. What was something like this even used for? Curator: These "standing cups" were ceremonial objects. Far beyond everyday use, they represented status, wealth, and artistry in the highest social circles. This wasn't something casually placed on a table; its mere presence signified prestige. Editor: The crafting! How do they even get glass that red and that consistently ridged? It's the epitome of luxury to me—each groove probably took an artisan hours. I bet the skill and materials of silver workers in 17th century was really precious at the time. Curator: Indeed. The labor involved speaks to an economy of display and a specific understanding of the market for luxury goods. Patrons commissioned items like this to project power, and artists like Baur fulfilled that need by transforming raw materials into symbols of authority. Editor: Absolutely. And it goes beyond simple consumption. Imagine the networks of trade involved—securing the right quality glass, the silver... it's all embedded in the object itself. Were guilds usually involved at the time of production? Curator: Certainly, guilds were essential in standardizing craftsmanship, training artisans, and ensuring a degree of quality control, impacting both the production and social stature of artisans like Baur. Editor: Reflecting on this piece, I’m reminded of the immense collaborative effort to create an object of this magnitude. It makes you rethink about object itself and its relation to the community, society, and market at the time of creation. Curator: Yes, this "Standing cup with cover" really offers a fascinating insight into the power of art, commerce, and culture to reflect historical trends of its creation time.