Armorial tazza
Unknown Artist
1513–34
Medium
Colorless (slightly gray) nonlead glass. Blown, enameled, gilt.
Dimensions
H. 2 5/16 in. (5.8cm); Diam. of rim 9 1/8 in. (23.1cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture
Italian (Venice)
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975 1975.1.1190
Accession Number
1975.1.1190
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Armorial tazza*, crafted in Venice between 1513 and 1534, exemplifies the Renaissance mastery of Italian glassmaking. Hailing from the vibrant hub of Venetian artistry—likely Murano—this shallow, stemmed bowl (or *tazza*) stands just 2 5/16 inches tall with a 9 1/8-inch rim diameter Its colorless, slightly gray nonlead glass shimmers elegantly, adorned with a prominent coat of arms, reflecting the era's fascination with heraldry and personal prestige. Venetian glassblowers employed sophisticated techniques here: the vessel was blown into shape for its graceful form, then enamel...