Goblet 1723

Editor: This baroque-style goblet, made of glass, dates back to 1723 and is attributed to Georg Friedrich Killinger. I'm immediately struck by how delicate it seems, almost ethereal. What's particularly interesting is how its fragile design juxtaposes with the era’s association with grandeur and power. How does the historical context inform our understanding of such an object? Curator: It's a fascinating question. The Baroque period certainly celebrated opulence, but objects like this reveal other facets of that society. These goblets, especially ones crafted from glass and adorned with intricate designs, speak volumes about social rituals and display of wealth. These weren't for everyday use. These glasses reflect the importance of trade routes for this piece to have come into creation, specifically from glass-making hubs such as Venice, becoming more widely available to Northern regions. Think about the setting for which this would be used – what kinds of conversations do you think would happen around it? Editor: I imagine that drinking vessels like these held significant political or symbolic value. Would they be a signifier for social gatherings and maybe used to convey allegiances or to make diplomatic claims? Curator: Precisely. Owning such exquisite glassware demonstrated taste and financial standing. Important social hierarchies influenced artistic expression even in everyday objects. Think about it: the politics of display even seeped into the dinner table. These goblets likely became status symbols, influencing how gatherings unfolded, creating and reenforcing political undertones. Editor: It’s so interesting to consider something as seemingly simple as a goblet and how it’s interwoven with history, economics, and even political theatre. Curator: Exactly! It reminds us that art, even in its most functional forms, never exists in a vacuum, which affects not only how it is created, but also displayed in the museums and public's engagement to art in general.