Fragment
Unknown Artist
ca. 1150–ca. 1250
Medium
Glass, ceramic
Dimensions
L. 1 9/16 in. (4 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
28.99.109
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment, dating to around 1150–1250, offers a glimpse into medieval craftsmanship from either Europe or the Middle East. Measuring just 1 9/16 inches (4 cm) long, it survives from a larger glass vessel, hinting at the everyday luxuries of the era—perhaps a beaker, flask, or decorative container used in households or trade. Its uncertain cultural origins reflect the vibrant exchange along Silk Road routes and Mediterranean ports, where Islamic glassmaking techniques influenced European artisans and vice versa. Crafted from glass with ceramic elements, the piece showcases advance...