Vase

ca. 1550–1600 (modern foot)

Not on view

In 1468 the first Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick III, deliberately dropped a glass vase presented to him by the Venetian government, implying that its humble materials were unworthy of him. Mere decades later, Northern royalty courted Venetian glassmakers as they set up workshops in London, Kassel, and the Tyrol. Threatening Venice’s monopoly and divulging professional secrets, the Italian glassmakers faced exile from their homeland. The rich blue hue of this vase, probably made by Venetians supported by Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria, was achieved by adding cobalt to the mix; the finely engraved surface decoration was originally picked out in gold-infused paint.

[Elizabeth Cleland, 2017]

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Vase
Date: ca. 1550–1600 (modern foot)
Culture: Austrian, Hall
Medium: Glass, engraved
Dimensions: Height: 9 in. (22.9 cm)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Object Number: 91.1.1462
Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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Shield (Pavise), Wood, leather, gesso, polychromy, Austrian — Shield (Pavise)
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Possibly Benjamin Bakewell & Co.
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
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Cranequin from the Armory of Emperor Maximilan I (reigned 1493/1508–19), Steel, wood (fruitwood, possibly pear), copper alloy, Western or Central European, the Netherlands or Austria — Cranequin from the Armory of Emperor Maximilan I (reigned 1493/1508–19)
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ca. 1505–19

Celery vase, Benjamin Bakewell & Co. or, Blown and engraved glass, American — Celery vase
Benjamin Bakewell & Co.
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
1810–25

Halberd, Steel, wood (ash), brass, iron, Austrian — Halberd
Austrian
1580–1600

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