Enameled Crested Beaker (Stangenglas)

The Stangenglas was a design created and decorated originally in Venice, then exported to Tyrol, Southern Germany and Bohemia. By the mid-16th century, they were probably created in regional glass centers, painted in enamels with coats of arms and decorated with gilt bands. In this piece, the painting depicts the armorial symbols of Bavaria and the double headed Imperial Eagle above the coats of arms of Herberstein and Kolnitz families, dated 1573. The wooden foot replaces an original glass foot.