Wine glass c. 1680 - 1700

Curator: This striking Baroque-style "Wine glass," crafted around 1680-1700, stands before us as a testament to artistry in glassmaking. An anonymous artisan shaped this piece, which now finds its home here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Oh, it's ethereal! Like holding captured moonlight. It makes me wonder, was this intended for grand celebrations or more intimate, reflective evenings? It feels like both, somehow. Curator: Exactly! The glasswork invites those kinds of imaginative wanderings. And it really is a complex little stage for symbol and image play, isn't it? The very form—the heart-shaped swelling of the stem, the delicate etching on the bowl and foot—each contribute to its charm. What about those visual symbols, do you have a hunch? Editor: I do! Baroque glass often played with symbolism, and here, despite its fragility, there's an assertion of love – in the heart shape – and prosperity in those playful Bacchanalian scenes etched onto the sides, as if the very act of drinking transforms it into a ceremonial blessing. It seems to want to make every sip symbolic. Curator: I love that! It becomes more than just a vessel. The glass becomes a reflective surface, and suddenly, you're contemplating the act of toasting life's many celebrations—or the delicate balance of pleasure and fleeting moments. Editor: It brings to mind rituals of memory – it's holding history, isn't it? Every little detail whispers about people and celebrations long since passed. You almost expect a toast from another era! I keep thinking about the way light catches in glass... it really can transform ordinary moments, lift it above. Curator: Absolutely. Next time you're at a celebratory dinner, maybe light will catch your glass, and you’ll recall this enchanting Baroque object—this invitation to ponder the rich visual dance of past generations. Editor: A shimmering reminder that even in the simplest act of raising a glass, there's potential for beauty, meaning, and maybe even a little bit of magic.