Goblet c. 1720

This glass goblet was crafted by Georg Ernst Kunckel during the late 17th or early 18th century, a period marked by the opulence of Baroque aesthetics. Notice the delicate engraving, dominated by a coat of arms beneath a crown. These are emblems of power and lineage, symbols deeply rooted in the societal structures of the time. The crown, ubiquitous across cultures, reappears from ancient diadems to medieval royal portraits. The coat of arms, a visual representation of family history, can be seen mirrored in the heraldic emblems adorning medieval armor. The meanings of these symbols have morphed over time, yet they retain their essence, reflecting a collective desire to establish identity. Consider, too, the subconscious allure of such objects. Just as the Baroque period sought to overwhelm the senses, these symbols stir something primal within us. The goblet, far from being a mere drinking vessel, is a vessel of cultural memory, an artifact that embodies the enduring human fascination with power.