Cordial glass c. 1870

This extravagant cordial glass is of unknown origin. It reminds us of the culture of refinement and luxury that permeated the courts and aristocratic circles of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. The elaborate woodwork encasing delicate glassware speaks volumes about the rituals of hospitality and social life of the elites. Decanters and glasses would have held precious liqueurs or spirits. Can you imagine this glass sitting on a table, surrounded by courtiers and members of the aristocracy? These individuals occupied a world where appearance and social standing were paramount. Access to such luxury goods symbolized power, taste, and distinction. This piece also sparks questions about the social inequalities that allowed for such opulence to exist. Who produced these objects, and under what conditions? Their stories are mostly absent from the historical record, overshadowed by the prominence of their patrons.