Bokaal met een druivenrank c. 1725 - 1861

This glass goblet, now in the Rijksmuseum, was made anonymously, and its date is unknown. Its material, glass, is something of a paradox. Although fragile, glass is made through an intensely hot process. And though we think of it as transparent, glass can take on an infinite number of colors and textures, from thick, opaque industrial blocks to the most refined crystal. This goblet reflects the latter ambition. Notice the elaborate stem, with its baluster form and delicate latticework. The bowl of the glass is decorated with a grape vine motif. This was likely achieved by a technique known as diamond-point engraving, a painstaking process of scratching the surface of the glass. The production of such an object would have required specialized labor, and its use would have been limited to the wealthy. This goblet gives us a glimpse into a world of luxury, artistry, and social stratification. It is a potent reminder that even the most beautiful objects are made by someone, somewhere, often under conditions of inequality.