Handmade replica of an Early Medieval glass claw beaker, based on archaeological finds from England. This distinctive type of vessel is known in archaeological literature as a claw beaker, a name referring to its characteristic claw-like glass projections.
The beaker is particularly striking for its unusual craftsmanship and artistic design. Prominent hollow glass projections are applied to the body of the vessel, resembling curved claws or talons. The upper and lower sections are further decorated with horizontal glass trails. The result is an object that appears archaic and organic, yet surprisingly modern in its design.
This replica demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship achieved by Early Medieval glassmakers.
- Height: 17 cm
- Width: 9 cm
- Material: glass
- Date of the original type: Early Middle Ages, approx. 6th–7th century
- Cultural context: Early Anglo-Saxon period, contemporary with the Vendel Period in Scandinavia
- Based on archaeological finds from England
- Handmade in the Czech Republic
Claw beaker
So-called claw beakers are among the most distinctive forms of glass vessels from Early Medieval Europe. Their name derives from the characteristic glass projections attached to the body of the vessel, whose elongated and curved shapes resemble claws or talons.
These beakers are known primarily from archaeological finds dating from the 5th to 7th centuries. They occur both in continental Europe and in Anglo-Saxon England. British examples are particularly associated with cemeteries of Early Anglo-Saxon communities, and some specimens have been discovered in exceptionally richly furnished graves.
Famous finds from England
An important group of these vessels comes from Taplow in Buckinghamshire, where an exceptionally rich Anglo-Saxon burial was discovered in 1883. No fewer than four claw beakers were found in the grave. They are elegant examples of this type of Early Medieval glass and are dated to the beginning of the 7th century.
Other examples are known from cemeteries at Mucking in Essex, Buckland near Dover and Great Chesterford in Cambridgeshire, as well as from other Anglo-Saxon sites. Archaeological finds demonstrate that several variants existed, differing in the number and arrangement of the claws, the proportions of the vessel and the colour of the glass.
Production of Early Medieval glass
The basic body of the vessel was made by glassblowing. The characteristic applied elements were subsequently formed from hot glass, attached to the body of the beaker and drawn into the desired shape. The decoration could also be complemented by thin glass trails wound around the vessel.
The combination of a blown glass body, applied decorative elements and glass trails demonstrates the considerable skill of Early Medieval glassmakers. Original vessels often have very thin walls, and their production required an experienced craftsman.
Anglo-Saxon England and the Vendel Period
The dating of these beakers partially overlaps with the period known in Scandinavia as the Vendel Period, approximately AD 550–800. In England, however, the corresponding centuries are generally referred to as the Early Anglo-Saxon period.
Both regions formed part of an interconnected world of Northern Europe in which objects, materials, artistic influences and forms of elite representation circulated over considerable distances. Luxury glass vessels could form part of feasting and ceremonial dining while also serving as visible expressions of the social status of their owners.
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