Footed Bowl

Art Historical Context

This delicate footed bowl, crafted by an unknown Frankish artisan in the late 4th to early 5th century, exemplifies the refined glassmaking traditions of early medieval Europe. Measuring just under 3 inches in diameter, its petite form—complete with a sturdy foot for stability—suggests it was designed for intimate use, perhaps as a drinking vessel or cosmetic container in a household setting. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval Art department, it entered the collection as a gift from J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917, highlighting the era's transition from Roman imperial workshops to ...