Covered goblet with the coat of arms of the Von Schwindt family 1577

This covered goblet, created by Anno Knütgen in the late 16th century, is made from glazed earthenware, and ornamented with the coat of arms of the Von Schwindt family. The goblet's material is central to its appeal. The earthenware, skillfully molded and fired, has a pleasingly tactile quality. It is ornamented with relief decoration and cobalt blue accents. The surface is alive with texture and detail: heraldic lions and decorative motifs evoke power and lineage. Knütgen was working within a tradition of ceramic production deeply rooted in European history. These objects weren't simply functional; they were signifiers of status and taste. They demonstrate the way the Von Schwindt family sought to display its own elevated place in society. The goblet shows the labor involved in its creation, from the initial shaping of the clay to the delicate application of the glaze. Looking at this goblet, we are reminded of the essential role that making plays in culture, and the ways in which objects can embody social and cultural significance.