A History in the making: The V&A Project
We were asked to select just one object made before 1950 from the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Glass collection. We chose objects which intrigued us, or held a certain resonance for us, and crucially would move us into unfamiliar territory. Research was undertaken to explore the questions below.
Its provenance:
What it is, When it was made, Who it was made for, Who made it? What role does it fulfil?
Its embedded technology:
What it is made of, how it was made
We were then required to transfer our findings into a contemporary context, creating an object or series of objects which in some way would fulfil the same role as our original chosen object.
Childlike Abandon:
Free blown glass with cane detail. Bronze cast, brass and found objects, 23ct Gold plate.
My goblets are inspired by a 16th Century Bavarian drinking game glass. Drinking games were popular in many European countries at this time and special objects were made to promote alcohol consumption in a social and playful manner. When consuming alcohol the tendency is to revert back to a childlike state and it is this that has inspired my intriguing and playful drinking goblets.
Below are the original objects from the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Goblet, blown filigree glass, with gilt metal mount, probably southern Germany, 1550-1625
Goblet, blown filigree glass, probably Southern Netherlands (possibly Antwerp), 1550-1625