Objekt 2124
Acknowledgement for diplomatic merits
Description
In 1648, the Peace Treaties of Westphalia signed in Münster and Osnabrück
marked the end of the Thirty Years’ War. Also staying in Münster, though
on the margins of negotiations, was the mayor of Basel, Johann Rudolf
Wettstein. He managed to use the political intrigues of the great powers to
his own diplomatic advantage, and obtained for the Swiss Confederation
formal independence from the German Empire. As a sign of their gratitude
seven tradesmen from Basel, who operated internationally, gave him this
precious vessel weighing almost 3.5 kg.
Object description
Wettstein Cup
goldsmith: Georg Freyder
Strassburg, 1649
silver, gilded
deposited by Jenny Adèle Burckhardt-Stiftung, Basel
Inv. 1917.18.