Covered goblet, mid 19th century
Attributed to Dominik Biemannexpand_more
Cut and engraved layered-glassexpand_more
Gift of funds from the Decorative Arts Councilexpand_more 92.14a,b
Not on Viewexpand_more
Throughout the 19th century, American and European manufacturers alike produced luxury wares emblazoned with images of George Washington (1732-99), the first American icon. Washington's qualities of fortitude, judgment, and sense of duty made him a constant inspiration to Americans. Following Washington's death in 1799, the nation observed a year of official mourning and throughout the century, citizens clamored for any type of object bearing Washington's likeness. Foreign manufacturers recognized the demand for these goods and produced the former president's image on every type of decorative object imaginable.
Undoubtedly copied from a printed source, Washington is here reproduced in intimate detail, from the definition of his hair to the individual ruffles of his costume. Expensive to produce, this goblet in an example of "casing," a process in which clear glass is covered with a layer of colored glass, into which a design is cut, revealing the sparkling clear glass underneath. The popularity of brilliantly colored glass in the 1830s revived the Bohemian glass industry, which had begun to wane after centuries of preeminence. Biemann was one of the most skilled Bohemian glasscutters who combined colored glass with engraved portraiture.
Explore
Audio
Details
- Title
- Covered goblet
- Artist Life
- 1800-1857
- Role
- Engraver
- Accession Number
- 92.14a,b
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.