Beaker thumbnail 1
Beaker thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Glass, Room 131

Beaker

15th century-early 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A krautstrunck [German for cabbage stalk] is a type of barrel-shaped beaker with a low foot. The body of the beaker is decorated with 'prunts'. These are blobs of glass applied by the glassmaker at the furnace while he was shaping the beaker.

The prunts also had a practical purpose, providing a grip for greasy hands during a meal. This was no luxury at a time when forks were not commonly used. Krautstrunck beakers are always made in a particular shade of green glass. The colour is the result of naturally occurring impurities in the raw materials.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Glass, with applied prunts
Brief description
Beaker (Krautstrunk), Germany, 1425-1530
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.8cm
Styles
Object history
Bought from the Nuremberg dealer A. Pickert for £ 4
Summary
A krautstrunck [German for cabbage stalk] is a type of barrel-shaped beaker with a low foot. The body of the beaker is decorated with 'prunts'. These are blobs of glass applied by the glassmaker at the furnace while he was shaping the beaker.

The prunts also had a practical purpose, providing a grip for greasy hands during a meal. This was no luxury at a time when forks were not commonly used. Krautstrunck beakers are always made in a particular shade of green glass. The colour is the result of naturally occurring impurities in the raw materials.
Other number
8684 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Accession number
243-1872

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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