A rare glass with the engraving of an East-Indiaman and with text "WELLE KOM OP BATAVIA"

A rare glass with the engraving of an East-Indiaman and with text "WELLE KOM OP BATAVIA"

A rare glass with the engraving of an East-Indiaman and with text "WELLE KOM OP BATAVIA"

German glass, engraving possibly Jakarta (Batavia), last quarter 18th century
With wheel-cut engraving of a ship at anchor, near a coast with trees, plain stem with knob, a facetted ring, with partly-facetted cup above.

H. 18.5 cm

The engraving on this glass is not particularly well-done, which probably means it was done in Batavia, which is quite rare.

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A glass with the engraving of an East-Indiaman and with text "HET WEL VAAREN VAN DE OOSTINDISCHE COMPAGNIE"

A glass with the engraving of an East-Indiaman and with text "HET WEL VAAREN VAN DE OOSTINDISCHE COMPAGNIE"

The Dutch have a long tradition of drinking games, and various glasses were made to get your guests as drunk as possible, the sooner the better. The Dutch liked (and still like) their drinks, and also during celebratory moments, the glass was raised. Often, with birth, marriage or any other family celebration, special glasses were made that were used to toast with and that would be passed to one another. But also amongst colleagues drinking was greatly appreciated. The glasses present show that the different chambers of the East and West India Trading Companies drank on the welfare of their ships and trade, and the glass welcoming people to Batavia shows that even upon arrival drinks were mandatory.