Venetian glass dish of the mid-16th century, painted after a fresco in the Doria Pamphili Gallery in Rome, diameter 29.2 cm, Venice (Murano) and Austria, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
The history of glass production in Venice goes back over a thousand years. Although until the 13th century it was a simple glass for household use, which was not of high artistic quality, was not a luxury item or interior decoration. Everything changed in the era of the Crusades. In 1204, the crusaders captured Constantinople, one of the largest and most highly developed cities of the medieval world. The Venetians brought with them beautiful Byzantine glass products and craftsmen who knew the intricacies and ancient secrets of glass production.
The revival of glass production began only in the middle of the 19th century thanks to the enthusiasm of one person Antonio Salviati. But that is another story.
Enameled and gilded Venetian glass goblet, Venice (Murano), circa 1530, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkVenetian glass bell surmounted by a gilded bronze figurine, Venice (Murano), height 26.4 cm, late 16th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkBowl, diameter 24.6 cm, Venice (Murano), late 15th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkTazza, glass, enamel, gilding, Venice (Murano), height 14 cm, late 15th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkChalice, Venice (Murano), glass, enamel, gilding, diameter 24.6 cm, circa 1500-1520, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkSitula (an ancient vessel similar to a bucket), Venice (Murano), glass, enamel, gilding, height 9.7 cm, early 16th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkVase made of chalcedony and aventurine glass, Venice (Murano), height 17.4 cm, circa 1700, State Hermitage Museum, St. PetersburgJug, Venice (Murano), height 28 cm, mid-16th century, State Hermitage Museum, St. PetersburgJug, Venice (Murano), gilding, painted with colored enamels, height 28 cm, late 15th century, State Hermitage Museum, St. PetersburgPilgrim’s flask, Venice (Murano), gilding, enamel, height 35.4 cm, late 15th-16th century, State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.Initially, the pilgrim’s flask was a hollowed gourd vessel in which pilgrims kept a supply of water. Then this form was transferred to ceramics and glassware.Blown glass jug vetro a reticello, Venice (Murano), height 30.5 cm, 16th century, State Hermitage Museum, St. PetersburgReliquary, Venice (Murano), gilding, enamel, height 32 cm, late 15th-16th century, State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.Milk glass vase with a scene from the story of Apollo and Cypress, Venice (Murano), gilding, enamel, height 20 cm, 1500-1510, State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.Glass on a winged leg, Venice (Murano), height 13.1 cm, second half of the 17th century, State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.Filigree salt shaker (transparent glass decorated with thin colored threads), Venice (Murano), diameter 5.8 cm, circa 1700, State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.Tazza, glass, enamel, gilding, Venice (Murano), diameter 23.5 cm, first half of the 16th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkGoblet, glass, enamel, gilding, height 23.5 cm, Venice (Murano), 16th century, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkOpaque yellow glass vase, height 31 cm, Venice (Murano), 16th-17th century, Murano Glass MuseumOpaque yellow glass vase, height 31 cm, Venice (Murano), 16th-17th century, Murano Glass MuseumBlue glass goblet with male and female portrait, height 15.4 cm, circa 1450, British Museum, LondonGoblet depicting a knight with a banner, height 13.4 cm, late 15th century., British Museum, London
