Saucer
Unknown Artist
ca. 1730
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Overall: 1 1/8 × 6 in. (2.9 × 15.2 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture
German, Potsdam glass with Saxony (Dresden) decoration
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Munsey Fund, 1927
Accession Number
27.185.374
Art Historical Context
This exquisite glass saucer, dating to around 1730, exemplifies refined craftsmanship of early 18th-century German decorative. Measuring just 1 1/8 × 6 inches, its delicate form—crafted from clear Potsdam glass and adorned with intricate Saxony (Dresden)—served as a functional yet elegant accessory for serving tea, coffee, or confections in aristocratic households. Potsdam, near Berlin, emerged as a hub for innovative glass production under Prussian patronage, while Dresden's skilled enamellers added vibrant, detailed motifs, blending utility with opulence. The collaboration between Potsdam's...