Rijksmuseum acquires significant 17th century glass goblet at TEFAF

Johann Kunckel
Apothecary and alchemist Johann Kunckel (c. 1637-1703) was the son of a glassmaker. In 1678, Kunckel started working at the royal court of Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia. That same year, he developed a formula for gold ruby glass. To ensure Kunckel could go about his work on the glass in secret, away from the prying eyes of competitors, Frederick William placed at his disposal an island near Potsdam named Pfaueninsel. Here, Kunckel created glasses and goblets that were held in exceptionally high regard in European royal circles. These objects owed their appeal not only to their gorgeous colour, but also to the magical properties attributed to gold and ruby at the time. There are some 20 extant glasses from this early period. The shell-shaped bowl of the Kunckel goblet make it unique among these glassware objects.

Cabinet of curiosities
The bowl of the goblet is engraved with a scene of cherubs, or putti, frolicking among grape vines. This engraving is attributed to the master engraver Gottfried Spiller (1663-1728), who is known to have decorated several gold ruby glasses. The material has been worked in such a way that it more closely resembles carved stone than blown glass. This situates the object in the tradition of the cabinet of curiosities, or Kunstkammer – collections of strange and wondrous objects from the realms of nature, science and art.

Vital support
The Rijksmuseum is grateful for all the forms of support it receives. Government funding, contributions from the business sector and funding organisations, as well as gifts, bequests and Friends are all of vital importance to the Rijksmuseum.