Bottle

This red glass has the characteristic “raspberry” or slightly purplish appearance characteristic of so-called “gold ruby glass.” To make gold ruby glass, very small amounts of dissolved gold are added to molten glass, and then the glass is formed while hot. After the glass cools, it is reheated, allowing the gold to gather and form microscopic particles, which scatter light to make transparent “gold ruby” glass.

During the 1600s, vessels made of carved hardstone, such as rock crystal, were very desirable in Germany. The shape of this bottle with faceted sides is a response to that taste. It combines the aesthetics of cut stone and the rich color of rubies, which were thought to be beneficial to one’s health.