Goblet thumbnail 1
On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

Goblet

1750-75 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The allegory of love engraved on this glass shows a cupid with two female figures, probably representing the Roman goddesses Venus (love) and Ceres, goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. Perhaps this is a variation of the more common depiction of Venus, Bacchus, Cupid and Ceres, often accompanied with the text “Without food and drink, love grows cold.”. The standing woman on our glass holds a staff with vines, representing wine.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wheel-engraved glass
Brief description
Goblet, Northern Netherlands or England (decorated in Amsterdam), possibly engraved by Jacob Sang, 1750-75
Physical description
Goblet of lead glass with tall stem incorporating air bubbles. The bowl is wheel-engraved with two female figures holding a burning heart and a cupid. Inscribed 'VRIENDSHAP. EN LIEFDE' [Friendship and love]
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.5cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Inscribed 'VRIENDSHAP. EN LIEFDE' (Decoration)
Translation
Friendship and love
Gallery label
Engraved with an allegorical subject.
Credit line
Wilfred Buckley Collection
Subject depicted
Summary
The allegory of love engraved on this glass shows a cupid with two female figures, probably representing the Roman goddesses Venus (love) and Ceres, goddess of agriculture, grain crops, fertility and motherly relationships. Perhaps this is a variation of the more common depiction of Venus, Bacchus, Cupid and Ceres, often accompanied with the text “Without food and drink, love grows cold.”. The standing woman on our glass holds a staff with vines, representing wine.
Bibliographic reference
A goblet with a similar scene is in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam in the Netherlands. See: P.C. Ritsema van Eck, Glass in the Rijksmuseum, Vol. II, Zwolle, 1995, p. 327, cat. 368
Other number
8859 - Glass gallery number
Collection
Accession number
C.469-1936

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Record createdDecember 13, 1997
Record URL
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