Saltcellar
18th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H. 2 in. (5.1 cm); Diam. 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm.)
Classification
Glass
Culture
Austrian, Gutenbrunn
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Munsey Fund, 1927
Accession Number
27.185.343
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate saltcellar, crafted by Johann Joseph Mildner in 18th-century Austria, exemplifies the exquisite glassmaking traditions of Gutenbrunn, a renowned center for engraved glass in the region. Standing just 2 inches tall with a diameter of 29/16 inches, petite vessel was designed for the dining table, where saltcellars served as both functional items and symbols of refined hospitality among the elite. Mildner's mastery shines in the glass medium, likely featuring intricate engravings of grapes—a motif evoking abundance, viticulture, and perhaps classical themes of Bacchus. Gutenbrunn g...