Goblet 1785 - 1799

This goblet, now in the Met's collection, was likely made by the Dagnia family, skilled glassmakers who worked in Germany, though the date is unknown. The colorless glass is formed into a pleasing shape, but it’s the surface decoration that really catches the eye. The image of a ship has been carefully engraved into the glass, a delicate and time-consuming process that highlights the skill of the artisan. Consider the relationship between the glass itself, and the image it bears. Glass production relied on the extraction of raw materials, processed through intense heat fueled by forests. And of course, the ship depicted on the glass speaks to the age of exploration, and the attendant history of globalized trade. Objects like this were made to be used and enjoyed, but also to represent the wealth and worldliness of their owners. By examining the materials and processes, we gain insight into the broader social and economic context in which this object was created, and collapse the distinction between fine art and craft.