Kelkglas met het wapen van Willem III c. 1675 - 1700

This glass, decorated with the coat of arms of William III, was likely made in the Netherlands, though the maker remains unknown. The material is potash glass, relatively soft and perfect for engraving; the shape, typical of its time, was likely achieved by a glassblower working with a limited range of tools. The decoration, however, is the thing here. It would have been created by a specialist, probably using a copper wheel to abrade the surface. Notice the incredible precision, the sharp lines achieved in a very unforgiving medium. As you can imagine, this was a labor-intensive process. Drinking glasses like this one speak volumes about a society where craftsmanship was highly valued. And of course, they remind us that even everyday objects can be vehicles for political expression and allegiance. Understanding that connection allows us to appreciate the full depth of this object.