A fabulous carved crystal goblet or chalice, with the lip, body and base encased and embellished with ornate metalwork now in a worn silver color metal finish, and studded with small baroque seed pearls and faceted square cut emeralds set in bezels. The faceted sides of the goblet are etched with a scenic representation of a forest in which a noble hunting dog stands guard over a fallen hare. The stem and knop are also faceted, and the lobbed base is clad in metal and jewels. Overall the goblet measures 5-1/2"H and 2-1/2" in diameter at the lip.
During the first half of the 17th century, glassmaking was among the English industries for which monopoly rights were granted by the crown; the greatest of a series of monopoly holders was Sir Robert Mansell, who effectively controlled the industry from 1623 until his death in 1656. After the Restoration, although some monopolies were granted for certain categories of glasswares, an increasingly important role in the English industry was played by the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers (reincorporated in 1664), which was able to keep closely in touch with the needs of the English market. Its members seem to have laid stress on simplicity of shape and durability of material, as appears from the correspondence of one of them, John Greene, with his suppliers in Venice. Dissatisfied with the quality of glass supplied to them and no doubt also anxious to make England independent of foreign sources of both finished glass and raw materials, they commissioned George Ravenscroft to make experiments with native materials in the hope of evolving a more solid glass than the Venetian and one that more closely resembled rock crystal.
600/800 Sold $833.75
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