Beaker
Unknown Artist
ca. 1730
Medium
Zwischengold glass
Dimensions
Overall: 2 1/16 × 2 1/4 in. (5.2 × 5.7 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture
Bohemian
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Munsey Fund, 1927
Accession Number
27.185.187
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Bohemian beaker, crafted around 1730, captures the thrill of a hunting scene with men, deer, and etched in delicate detail. Measuring just over two inches tall, its petite scale belies its grandeur, making it a perfect example of the luxurious drinking vessels prized by 18-century European elites. Produced in the heart of Bohemia—then a hub of innovative glassmaking—this piece reflects the era's fascination with nature, leisure, and aristocratic pursuits. The beaker's standout feature is its Zwischengold technique, a sophisticated method where thin sheets of gold leaf are paint...