Goblet with cover 1546 - 1547

This goblet with cover was made by Reinier van Jaersvelt, its date is unknown. The composition is dominated by the interplay between the clear, crystalline form of the glass goblet and the ornate, solid presence of the gilded silver mounts. The goblet's body flares upwards, a series of vertical ribs catching the light. These lines intersect with the horizontal bands of gold filigree that adorn the base and lid, creating a dialogue between transparency and opacity, lightness and weight. The equestrian figure topping the lid suggests power and mastery, while the intricate detailing speaks to a culture of refinement and display. Such objects served as potent signifiers of status and taste, embodying a complex set of cultural codes that would have been immediately legible to their intended audience. These luxury objects were used to assert one's position within a highly stratified social order. The goblet is not merely a drinking vessel, but a symbol of transformation and the transience of earthly pleasures.