Fles 1686

Curator: Here we have a striking piece simply titled "Fles", dating back to 1686. It’s an anonymous creation currently held at the Rijksmuseum. This exquisite flask is primarily crafted from glass. What's your first reaction to it? Editor: It makes me think of the ocean, calm waters reflecting the sky on a still day. There’s something so tranquil about that translucent blue. It feels almost ethereal, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. And thinking about its production, the choice of glass is key. During the Baroque period, the mastery of glassmaking was becoming increasingly sophisticated in Europe. The skill required to create a piece like this, flawlessly shaped and evenly colored, speaks to the high level of artisanal craftsmanship. It suggests a consumer market with means. Editor: I hadn’t thought about it that way. The engraving too looks deliberate. See how the flourishes seem to float around the main word etched onto its surface. Curator: Yes, it really draws the eye! And you will also notice the use of light itself becomes almost a part of the medium. What would have been poured, collected and or offered by means of this blue object in its time. Was it part of the aesthetic? Editor: That's a wonderful way to put it—light as a collaborator. Maybe it held water, wine, or even scented oils, but really, I'm starting to see this object as less about utility, more about pure sensory pleasure, a celebration of light, color, and texture. It almost feels…audible. Like the delicate chime of glass on glass. Curator: The fact that we don't know its specific function almost elevates its aesthetic value even further. Editor: Exactly. We're left to simply admire its presence. Considering it survived for centuries, from those skilled glassmakers in 1686, speaks volumes about its lasting impact and the enduring allure of simplicity and elegant craftsmanship. Thanks, this Fles has given me food for thought! Curator: Indeed. A wonderful perspective—thank you. And for listeners, this piece serves as an opportunity to meditate on the way something can be at once precious and utilitarian.