New photography by Pat Cagney captured with a digital camera.

Flask

ArtistAttributed to the workshop of Franz Gondelach

CultureGerman

Date18th century

MediumMold-blown Glass

DimensionsOverall: 8 1/4 x 2 1/8 x 3 1/2 in. (21 x 5.4 x 8.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Wunsch Foundation

Object number2005.22

Not on view

DescriptionThis is a German engraved square flask, mold-blown colorless. The body is rectangular in cross section with rounded shoulders that are carved with gadrooning; the short neck is panel-cut and the rim is faceted; there is a polished pontil mark on the bottom. All four sides are decorated with engraving: the two narrow sides have identical engraved images on their lower third - a pair of obelisks with ball feet mounted on square plinths with ball feet; suspended between the obelisks on ribbons is a large bouquet of flowers and below this is a suggestion of a baroque garden wall with flowers. The large flat sides are completely covered with engraving: on one side is a very elaborate armorial bearing that clearly represents a marriage between two unidentified noble households with a large crown over an engraved foliate monogram which is flanked by a kidney shaped coat-of-arms on each side. Hanging below the arms is a Maltese cross hanging on a decorative chain of crosses and flowers representing an unidentified German order. At the bottom are a pair of urn (or lanterns?) and the suggestion of a baroque garden wall with flower. On the other side are canopy drapery festoons and ribbons. Below this is a ribbon-decorated classical bust. The bust is flanked by a pair of wicker baskets filled with flowers, both of these are surmounted by a bird and below this are an elaborate baroque cartouche and then the same urns and garden wall found on the side with the armorial bearing.

ProvenanceWunsch Foundation, Inc., New York; Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, Gift of Wunsch Foundation, Inc., 2005. Published ReferencesGondelach Rudolf von Strasser and Walter Spiegel, _Dekoriertes Glas_, (Munich: Klinkhardt and Biermann, 1989), 240, 241, 286, 287.ISBN: 978-3781402836 Similar examples