Berkenmeier met de wapens van de familie Blois en stad Schoonhoven 1663

This green glass Berkenmeier cup, of unknown date, features the arms of the Blois family and the city of Schoonhoven. Glassware like this circulated amongst the wealthy merchant classes of the Netherlands, and are often associated with celebratory meals, civic pride, and family identity. The prominent display of heraldry suggests a commission, perhaps to commemorate a marriage or other alliance between the Blois family and the city. The etched details imply a sophisticated artistic workshop, familiar with the visual language of power and status of the time. The choice of green glass, its shape, and the applied blobs of glass further contribute to its unique character. To fully understand its context, further research into the history of the Blois family, the city of Schoonhoven, and the glassmaking industry in the Netherlands would be required. Such study would shed light on the social and political significance of this seemingly simple, yet carefully crafted object.