Medallion
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
2 5/8 × 2 1/4 in. (6.7 × 5.7 cm)
Classification
Glass-Painted
Culture
German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mary Martin, 1938
Accession Number
38.145.175
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Medallion*, crafted by an unknown German artist in the early th century, exemplifies the artistry of painted glass in European decorative traditions. Measuring just 2 5/8 × 2 1/4 inches, this petite oval piece features profiles of men alongside a prominent cross, rendered in enamel paints on glass—a technique that allowed for luminous, jewel-like effects through layered colors visible from both sides. Such small-scale works were prized for their portability and often served as personal talismans, jewelry pendants, or devotional objects during a time of religious revival in post-...