Small twelve-sided Beaker c. 18th century

This small twelve-sided beaker, of unknown origin, is made of glass with enamel decoration. It shows us the importance of glassware as a decorative art and social object, especially during the early modern period. The beaker’s painted design combines simple floral motifs with geometric bands. Enamel painting on glass became popular across Europe from the 16th century, developing from earlier stained glass traditions. Drinking vessels like this one speak to growing urban sociability and new forms of consumer culture. The absence of a known maker highlights the frequent anonymity of artisans who produced functional wares within a workshop system. Objects like this beaker are best understood through inventories, trade records, and archaeological findings. They tell the story of evolving tastes, craft practices, and the everyday lives of people from different social classes. They are not only beautiful objects, but also material archives of cultural history.