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These two chain flasks with incised floral motives were made of gold ruby glass, probably in southern Germany. It was a material that was immensely popular at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and was even thought to possess magical powers.

The process of making gold ruby glass was very complicated. After many unsuccessful attempts, Johann Kunkel von Löwenstein managed to produce perfectly coloured glass in his Potsdam workshop at the beginning of the 1680’s. Kunkel produced this brilliant red colour by adding small quantities of gold to the glass mass. The result was viewed as an entirely new material. The glass was polished like a stone and set on silver-gilt mounts.

The manufacturing process remained secret for a long time, despite the efforts of the best glass-makers in Central Europe to discover the formula. Even if they had known how it was made, they might well have been put off by the cost. For gold ruby glass was expensive to produce. So it remained largely the preserve of royal houses. August the Strong acquired a large number of pieces, most of which were set in silver-gilt mounts by master jewellers in Augsburg.