Punch goblet 1867

This punch goblet was created by Cristalleries de Baccarat, a French glass manufacturer founded in 1764. It is made of clear glass, overlaid with a thin layer of blue glass, which has then been carefully cut away to reveal the clear glass beneath. The crisp, classical scenes that decorate both the punch bowl and the individual cups were achieved through a labor-intensive process of wheel-carving. Imagine a craftsperson using small rotating wheels, applying them to the surface of the glass with precision and skill. The process is akin to engraving, but on a three-dimensional object. Given the immense amount of work involved, this was clearly an object made for display as much as for use. It embodies a level of luxury only available to the wealthiest members of society. Considering the materials, making, and social context gives us a richer understanding of the history and values of the time in which it was made, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.