Lidded Beaker of Hugo von Werdenberg

Enamelling, i.e. fusing a glassy coating onto a metal surface, is one of the most difficult techniques in goldsmiths’ work. These beakers display exquisite decorations in translucent enamel with gilded cut-out foils. Animals and mythical creatures have been added in painted white enamel. Such sumptuous but highly fragile vessels were used exclusively for purposes of representation.