Two-handled vase with cover

Art Historical Context

This elegant two-handled glass vase with cover, standing at 11¼ inches tall, hails from late 18th-century Spain, specifically the renowned glassmaking center San Ildefonso. during a golden age for Spanish decorative arts, it exemplifies the fine craftsmanship of the Real Fábrica de Crist de La Granja de Ildefonso, a royal factory established in 1728 that rivaled Europe's finest glass producers. The vase's symmetrical form, complete with handles and a fitted lid, reflects the neoclassical tastes of the era, blending functionality with opulent display for affluent homes or royal tables. Adorned with floral motifs—a hallmark of period decoration—the vase showcases the technical virtuosity of Spanish glassmakers. Techniques like wheel-cutting or engraving likely brought the flowers to life, creating delicate textures that catch the light and mimic more precious materials like rock crystal. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection (acquired via the Rogers Fund in 1914), it highlights Spain's contributions to the decorative arts during a time when luxury glassware symbolized cultural sophistication and Enlightenment-era refinement. Though the artist remains unknown, this piece invites visitors to appreciate the anonymous mastery behind everyday elegance, a testament to San Ildefonso's enduring legacy in European glass history.