Roemer met het wapen van prins Maurits omgeven door de Kousenband after 1613

This *Roemer*, or drinking glass, was made by an anonymous artist, likely in the Netherlands. It’s made of glass, and decorated with an engraving of the coat of arms of Prince Maurits, surrounded by the Order of the Garter. The glassblowing process gives the *Roemer* its distinctive shape. The engraving, likely done with a diamond-point tool, would have required a high level of skill and control. The decoration speaks to the Roemer’s function as more than just a drinking vessel. It’s a symbol of status, and allegiance. Glassblowing has a long history, but by this time, it had become an established industry, and the engraver would have been part of a network of skilled artisans. The *Roemer* is not just a functional object, or a fine art sculpture. It’s something in between, with the artistry of its making inseparable from its social role. This piece challenges our assumptions about what counts as art, and the labor involved in its production.