Bokaal, met het wapen van de Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Provinciën c. 1680 - 1700

This glass goblet, made anonymously, features the coat of arms of the Dutch Republic. It’s made of colorless glass, and decorated with diamond-point engraving. The process of glassmaking involves intense heat, transforming humble materials into delicate objects. Diamond-point engraving would have required incredible skill, and focused attention. Minute movements of the hand can create images that capture light and delight the eye. The alliance of glassmaking and engraving, speaks to a culture that valued not just utility but refinement. Considered in its social context, this goblet speaks volumes. The Dutch Republic was a hub of global trade, its prosperity built on maritime commerce. Glassware like this, would have been part of a culture of display, demonstrating the owner’s sophistication and wealth. The very act of raising a glass, becomes a gesture laden with meaning – a toast to prosperity, or a symbol of social status. The goblet is more than a drinking vessel, it represents the culture, labor and aspiration of its time.