beaker

The squat, sturdy shape of this beaker and the liveliness of its decoration are typical of the Baroque style of northern Europe in the late 17th century. The technique, however, is still reminiscent of Renaissance glassmaking, which was characterized by fragile, thinly blown vessels and linear decoration. At about the time this beaker was decorated, a new type of glass was introduced in central Europe. It allowed for thick-walled, crystal-clear vessels that were deeply cut and engraved with rich decoration.