{"product_id":"vier-grosse-wasserglaser-kaiser-wilhelm-ii-ca-1890","title":"Six large water glasses, Emperor Wilhelm II, ca. 1890","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003ecollection of six water glasses\u003c\/strong\u003e, dating from around \u003cstrong\u003e1890\u003c\/strong\u003e, combines \u003cstrong\u003ehistorical elegance\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eroyal provenance\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the fine craftsmanship of the late \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eImperial era\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. The glasses are made of \u003cstrong\u003elight, clear glass\u003c\/strong\u003e and feature \u003cstrong\u003edelicate engraving\u003c\/strong\u003e on the lower third, which adds a subtle decorative texture to the ensemble.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParticularly noteworthy is the base of each glass, where the \u003cstrong\u003emirror-inverted monogram \"WR\" – Wilhelm Rex\u003c\/strong\u003e is engraved beneath the \u003cstrong\u003ePrussian crown\u003c\/strong\u003e. This engraving refers directly to \u003cstrong\u003eEmperor Wilhelm II\u003c\/strong\u003e, making the glasses rare examples of court table culture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll six glasses are in \u003cstrong\u003eexcellent condition\u003c\/strong\u003e, with no chips or damage – a rare find for collectors of \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eimperial glass\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003eimperial court dinnerware\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, and representative objects of \u003cstrong\u003eGerman history\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 13.4 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDrinking Culture in General\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003edrinking culture at the Prussian imperial court under Wilhelm II\u003c\/strong\u003e was a representative blend of \u003cstrong\u003ecourtly etiquette\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003emilitary discipline\u003c\/strong\u003e, and deliberately staged \u003cstrong\u003eimperial self-representation\u003c\/strong\u003e. It combined traditional Prussian rigor with international influences and reflected the monarch's political and social role. Especially at state banquets, receptions, and military festivities, the selection and presentation of beverages became a visible expression of imperial power and courtly culture.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWine Culture\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003c!--nl--\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the heart of courtly drinking culture were \u003cstrong\u003eGerman white wines\u003c\/strong\u003e, especially \u003cstrong\u003eRiesling\u003c\/strong\u003e from the Rheingau and Moselle regions. These were considered an expression of \u003cstrong\u003enational identity\u003c\/strong\u003e and were preferred at official occasions. They were complemented by \u003cstrong\u003eFrench red wines\u003c\/strong\u003e such as \u003cstrong\u003eBordeaux\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eBurgundy\u003c\/strong\u003e, which served as international prestige wines. The order of wines followed a strict etiquette: light white wines with appetizers, heartier red wines with meat dishes, and noble sweet wines with desserts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChampagne\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChampagne\u003c\/strong\u003e was the undisputed \u003cstrong\u003eprestige drink\u003c\/strong\u003e of the imperial court. Brands like \u003cstrong\u003eMoët \u0026amp; Chandon\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePommery\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eHeidsieck\u003c\/strong\u003e were served at receptions, court balls, and military parades. For Wilhelm II, champagne symbolized \u003cstrong\u003emodernity\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ecosmopolitanism\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eimperial grandeur\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBeer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite all the splendor, \u003cstrong\u003ebeer\u003c\/strong\u003e remained an integral part of Prussian court culture. Particularly popular were \u003cstrong\u003eBerliner Weisse\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePilsner\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eBockbier\u003c\/strong\u003e. At military events, hunts, and officer festivities, beer dominated as an expression of \u003cstrong\u003ePrussian down-to-earthness\u003c\/strong\u003e and camaraderie.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpirits\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpirits played a role primarily at officer festivities and hunting parties. Typical were \u003cstrong\u003eKorn\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eCognac\u003c\/strong\u003e, and fine \u003cstrong\u003eliqueurs\u003c\/strong\u003e from Berlin and Potsdam court manufacturers. Cognac, in particular, was considered a classic \u003cstrong\u003eofficer's drink\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTable Setting\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrinking culture was closely linked to the \u003cstrong\u003etable setting\u003c\/strong\u003e. Under Wilhelm II, \u003cstrong\u003eService à la russe\u003c\/strong\u003e became increasingly prevalent, where drinks were served in \u003cstrong\u003ecourses\u003c\/strong\u003e. The glasses often came from manufacturers such as \u003cstrong\u003eJosephinenhütte\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eVal St. Lambert\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eBaccarat\u003c\/strong\u003e and underscored the representative effect of the table.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSocial Significance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrinking at the imperial court was never just about enjoyment, but an expression of \u003cstrong\u003erank\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003estatus\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003emilitary camaraderie\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003enational identity\u003c\/strong\u003e. Wilhelm II consciously used drinking culture to demonstrate the \u003cstrong\u003eunity of the imperial house\u003c\/strong\u003e and the \u003cstrong\u003estrength of the empire\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KAISER WILHELM","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51324391719249,"sku":"","price":1180.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0940\/4461\/9089\/files\/02-Wasserglaeser-Kaiser-Wilhelm-1890.jpg?v=1786900137","url":"https:\/\/www.kaiser-wilhelm.shop\/en\/products\/vier-grosse-wasserglaser-kaiser-wilhelm-ii-ca-1890","provider":"KAISER WILHELM","version":"1.0","type":"link"}