Kelkglas met een portret van Willem V before 1798

This glass, decorated with a portrait of Willem V, was made anonymously, at an unknown date. It is made of potash glass, a relatively soft material, which allowed the engraver to cut away at the surface, leaving a delicate design in relief. The process probably involved a series of small rotating wheels, fed with abrasive grit – a painstaking method, requiring immense skill. The glassblower who first formed this object would also have been highly trained. These traditions long predate the industrial revolution, yet are very much part of the story of early capitalism. Glass, like ceramics, was one of the first materials to be manufactured at scale and traded across long distances. And while we appreciate the artistry that went into this glass, we should also remember the many hands, seen and unseen, that brought it into being. These objects tell a story of technical ingenuity, yes, but also of labor and commerce.