Glasse
Antique luxury mug - "A gift from a Riga brewer to a Swiss watchmaker."
The mug was made in 1890. The base of the mug is made of Bohemian crystal by pressing into a mold. This is noticeable by the characteristic vertical scar on the outside of the handle. At the end of the 19th century, this technology was considered quite rare in Europe due to the fact that, unlike the technique of glass blowing into a mold, pressing was only possible with special equipment from the USA. Pressing also made it possible to obtain more advanced shape parameters for crystal products. Simply put, it was a higher-quality and high-tech method of working with crystal. Bohemian crystal differs from glass by its high density, the play of the light spectrum and durability. It is the most preferred material for premium class products or luxury items (from the English luxury — luxury).
In our case, the metal fittings of the crystal base of the mug were made of precious metal - silver. The crystal surface of the mug is painted with voluminous gilding and colored enamel. All this combined will create the luxury status of the circle.
On the back of the lever of the lifting mechanism of the silver lid there is an engraved inscription in French: "Ch-on de Stritzký à son ami Lucien Dubois des Brenets. Riga 1891". This is a donation inscription. Translated from French, it means: "Christophe von Stritsky to his friend Lucien Dubois from Le Brenet. Riga, 1891." The donor, Christoph von Stritsky, was identified as a representative of the von Stritsky family, well-known in Riga. Christoph Adam von Stritzky was the owner of a large brewery in Riga (Bierbrauerei C. Ch. von Stritzky), founded in 1854. His villa is still an architectural landmark of Riga.
The recipient of the expensive gift, Lucien Dubois, comes from the Swiss town of Les Brenets. This region is famous for its watchmaking traditions. Judging by the inscription, Lucien was a friend of Christophe, and the gift itself could be related to business or personal ties between a Riga industrialist and a Swiss craftsman or entrepreneur.
By 1891, the Riga Stritsky brewery was flourishing, being one of the largest in the Livonia province of the Russian Empire.
View the collection of Paulo Vik Falcon
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