Beaker with Arms of Schiltl and Portner von Theuern

The main decoration on the wall of this beaker is the enameled coat of arms of the Schiltl family of Amberg, a town in the Bavarian region of southern Germany, and of the Portner von Theurern family. This vessel belongs to a large group of similar glasses that have arms of south German, Austrian, and Bohemian families.

A French visitor to Germany in 1688 explained how drinking vessels would be displayed:

You must further know, that the Glasses are as much respected in this Country as the Wine is beloved. They place them all en Parade�and the glasses are ranged about upon the Cornish [cornice] of the Wainscot, like Pipes of Organs. They begin with the little, and end with the great Ones.