Beaker, c. 1600
Blown glass with polychrome enamel
31.1 cm (12 1/4 in.)
Gift of Julius and Augusta N. Rosenwald, 1927.1012
European Decorative Arts
Not on Display
This tall beaker, (Humpen), is a fine example of the decorative skills Bohemian glassmakers lavished on utilitarian objects. Made in what is now the Czech Republic, the ceremonial beaker was used for drinking beer. Its enameled decorative allegory illustrates the stages of life from the ages of ten to one hundred, and was probably intended as a droll warning to carefree drinkers.