Roemer met het wapen van Willem III omgeven door de wapens van provincies en steden 1657

This Roemer glass, of unknown date, presents a compelling study in form and function. The vessel’s pale green glass, blown into a bulbous shape, immediately establishes a dialogue between transparency and volume. The lower part of the Roemer is covered in prunts, small blobs of molten glass, which creates a tactile rhythm, while the upper section features a detailed, engraved frieze. The frieze, with armorial bearings, invokes heraldic semiotics, signalling power, status and allegiance. The Roemer’s structure facilitates its purpose—to hold liquid. But it’s the adornments, the prunts and engravings, that elevate it beyond utility. The glassmaker has created a complex interplay of textures and symbols. These formal elements offer a glimpse into the cultural and political landscape of its time, inviting ongoing interpretation about its function as both object and sign.