SOLD – 18th Century Dutch Engraved Baluster Glass c1750

Description

The bell bowl form that widens at the base with a solid section at the base of the bowl above a hollow inverted baluster knop stem is typical of production from Thüringen and Saxony in the secnd quarter and mid 18th century. This may also be a Dutch baluster glass c1750 with a conical folded foot. We do not know for certain

The bowl is engraved with a cartouche containing a three masted war ship with the words ‘HET LANS WEL VAREN’ loosely translates as “Good luck to the Lance” . it may well be that this is an engraving error and was intended to be a more patriotic good luck to the country. One of our native Dutch speaking clients was kind enough to write the following highly informative email.

“Lans” indeed means “Lance” and would indeed be a perfectly suitable name for a frigate. However. “lans” is a female noun and would therefore come with the definite article “de”. The definite article “het” is reserved for the relatively small class of neutral nouns. like boek (book). huis (house) and… land (country). I therefore believe in the interpretation “Het lands welvaren” = “The country’s prosperity”. The omission of the “d” needn’t be an error as it’s pronunciation in the word “lands” is very subtle and as in those days there was no such thing as Standard Dutch (remember “Hansie”. “Hansje”. “Hanske”).
The glass itself is quite interesting. as the stem and bowl base are not facet cut. The glass also seems to be darker than equivalent German ones of the period and quite thin at the bowl. So I would be tempted to believe that it was made in the Low Countries as a copy of the glass imported from Germany.

The reference to Hansje ( in der kelder) is a well known form of Dutch engraved glasses to announce a pregnancy.

It has a single small chip to the rim of the bowl as shown and this obviously reflected in the price. You may choose to have this restored. however. we believe that it is unnecessary. this glass is about the engraving.

Measures 6 inches tall with a 2 5/8 inch bowl and 2 7/8 inch foot.