beaker

By the early 19th century, Bohemian glassmaking was an important industry that was recognized throughout Europe for the high quality of its products. With the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, central Europe, including Bohemia, entered into a period of stability and peace that resulted in increased prosperity for the middle class. In order to maintain this stability following the great period of political upheaval in Europe, many people began to focus on home and family life, creating a refuge from the unpredictable world. Art, architecture, and the decorative arts concentrated on the family and the idea of a comfortable lifestyle. This turn toward simplicity was representative of the Biedermeier style, which was popular from 1815 through the 1830s. Domestic interiors became intimate havens filled with furniture and decorations that were both simple and functional. Women made goods for the home, and decorative elements such as beadwork were crafted by young girls and housewives. This beaker is simple in form, but the thick glass and flared shape were common in Bohemian glass at that time. It is decorated with a hand-beaded band depicting two stags in a landscape, with a bird on the reverse. In line with the ideals of the Biedermeier style, the beaker is functional and the beadwork and motif are simple. This object was probably produced by a woman for her home.