Hand Blown Viking Cup: Green Forest Glass Bell Beaker

Hand made mouth blown reproduction Bell beaker. After a find from Birka, tomb 750, 9th century. Approx. 25 cl.
Looped decoration to body thread decorated neck.
Pleasant green coloration, same colour as in the series.
Safe to use and drink from, cold drinks only, not dishwasher or microwave safe.

Our historical glasses are replicas of glass from the 2000-year history of glass blowing. All our glasses are entirely handmade. They are mouth blown and driven with timed-cut clippings, glass threads and other decor. A sign of a handmade glass is the so-called punt mark on the underside of the glass called a Pontil mark or punt mark; the scar where the pontil, punty or punt was broken from a work of blown glass. The presence of such a scar indicates that a glass bottle or bowl was blown freehand, while the absence of a punt mark suggests either that the mark has been obliterated or that the work was mold-blown.

The soft rounded edge of the top of the glass and some variation in size, thickness and details are other signs of genuine craftsmanship.

The glass mass is specially designed to resemble old-time glass. Certain chemicals, mainly metal oxides, have been added to get the correct color scale. The glass mass contains, in different extent, small air bubbles and shifts in structure.

Each glass is unique. All these special features of historical glass mean that there can not be two identical glasses. This makes each glass a unique handmade masterpiece - just like the original glass.

​The green glass, forest glass is crafted using traditional methods that have been handed down from one generation to the next in Bohemia (Czech Republic) since the 14th century. Of course, this means that it is hand blown on furnaces demanding great skill.

The presence of tiny bubbles in this glass, as well as its pleasant green coloration make it unique and characteristic.