Glass Fragment

Art Historical Context

This delicate *Glass Fragment*, dating to the 14th, offers a glimpse into the luminous world of medieval European stained glass. Crafted from pot metal glass—a technique where metal oxides like copper, cobalt, and iron were fused directly into the molten glass to create vibrant, jewel-like colors—this small piece (just 4 x ¾ inches) survives from what was likely a grand cathedral window. Unlike later methods that painted details onto clear glass, pot metal allowed for rich, translucent hues that transformed sunlight into storytelling spectacles, illuminating biblical scenes or saints for illit...