Miniature barrel
Unknown Artist
18th–19th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Length: 1 in. (2.5 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture
probably German
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Leonard E. Opdycke, 1913
Accession Number
13.83.1
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European and Decorative Arts collection this exquisite *Miniature barrel* is testament to the ingenuity of 18th–19th century glassmakers, likely from Germany. Craft from glass and measuring just 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, it captures the form of a wooden barrel in miniature—a playful yet masterful nod to everyday objects transformed into precious curiosities. Glassworking techniques during this period, particularly in German-speaking regions like Bohemia, reached remarkable heights of precision. Artisans employed lampworking or mold-blowing to creat...