Stemware

Glasses consisting of three components – a relatively flat foot, a stem and a bowl – are usually called goblets. Since the stem of the two pieces in question is not baluster-shaped as is often the case with goblets, the term stemware is used here.

Although glasses with high stems were common in many European countries in the 13th and 14th centuries, they went completely out of fashion in the 15th and the first half of the 16th century. It was probably not until about 1560 that goblets and stemware were produced again.

There existed countless variations of post-medieval chalices, most often with a baluster-shaped stem and a rounded bowl. The number of variations in form of these two elements and the number of decorations are immeasurable. A general typological-chronological sequence – for example from simple to complicated with elaborate decorations – cannot be determined. The glasses shown here are particularly simple and particularly perfect examples. Only someone who has ever tried to design or produce a harmonious whole from the three elements foot, stem and bowl will know what it takes to achieve a convincing result. The timeless elegance of the two glasses makes it difficult to place them in chronological order. They were probably made in the late 16th or early 17th century.