Beaker

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Object Name: 
Beaker
Place Made: 
Germany, Potsdam
Accession Number: 
67.3.11
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 9.9 cm; Rim Diam: 8.7 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
about 1685-1700
Web Description: 
This beaker is made of a type of glass known as “gold ruby”. The color is achieved by the interaction of light with particles of gold suspended within it. Consequently, it was extremely costly.

More Info

Department: 
Early Modern
Provenance: 
Henrich, Wilhelm, Source
1966
Category: 
Baroque
Color: 
ruby
Technique: 
glassblowing
cutting
engraving
Material: 
glass

Description

Primary Description: 
Transparent ruby red non-lead glass; blown, cut, engraved. Tapered, straight-sided form; thick-walled; cut and polished circular facets at the rim and base; polished small circular facets in three vertical rows, ending in clusters of facets like stylized flowers; engraved swags of fruit and flowers in the panels between; the flat bottom with seven circular polished facets in a ring around another, larger, circular facet.

Exhibitions (3)

Alchemy: Magic, Myth or Science?
Venue(s)
Bruce Museum 2009-09-26 through 2010-01-03
Glass of the Alchemists: Lead Crystal-Gold Ruby, 1650–1750
Venue(s)
Corning Museum of Glass
Changing Exhibitions Gallery
 
A Cup of Kindness
Venue(s)
General Foods Collection Gallery 1984-02-01 through 1984-05-01

Publications (5)

Glass of the Alchemists: Lead Crystal-Gold Ruby, 1650-1750 (2008) illustrated, p. 244, #75; BIB# 103865
Glashuttenarbeit : Bilder aus dem Westfalischen Industriemuseum und dem Museum Baruther Glashutte (2006) illustrated, p. 9; BIB# 95698
Rubinglas des Ausgehenden 17. und des 18. Jahrhunderts (revised ed.) (2001) illustrated, p. 175, fig. 87; BIB# 71682
Rubinglas des Ausgehenden 17. und des 18. Jahrhunderts (1997-12-15) Band 2, p. 26, #87; BIB# 60294
Recent Important Acquisitions, 10 (1968) illustrated, p. 186, #39; BIB# AI97755