glass holders (table equipment) en

Elaborately decorated metal feet and stems onto which ordinary glasses can be clamped thus forming an elegant vessel. They were made as prestige objects to adorn the table. In the 15th century glass holders were often commissioned by city councils and aristocrats. By the 17th century, wealthy burghers had acquired a taste for these objects, although the fashion declined after 1650. Most glass holders were made of bronze, silver or silver gilt. The clamps often incorporated a human figure, a sea-horse or an animal head.