Fragment
Unknown Artist
ca. 1150–ca. 1250
Medium
Glass, ceramic
Dimensions
L. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
Classification
Glass-Vessels
Culture
European or Middle Eastern
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Clarence H. Mackay, Archer M. Huntington, Stephen H. P. Pell and Bashford Dean, 1928
Accession Number
28.99.84
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment, dating to around 1150–1250, offers a tantalizing glimpse into medieval craftsmanship. Measuring just 1 5/8 inches (4.1 cm) long, it comes from a glass vessel—possibly combined with ceramic elements—and hails from either Europe or the Middle East. uncertain origins reflect the vibrant cultural exchanges of the High Middle Ages, when Crusades and trade routes linked Islamic artisans with European workshops, blending techniques and styles across continents. Glass vessels like this were prized for their translucency and durability, often used for drinking, storage, or disp...