Vase
Unknown Artist
probably 18th–19th century
Medium
Glass, blue; free blown with applied decoration
Dimensions
H. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm) Max. Diam 2 15/16 in. (7.4 cm)
Classification
Glass
Department
Islamic Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Samuel L. M. Barlow, 1883
Accession Number
83.6.21
Art Historical Context
This delicate blue glass vase, likely crafted in the 18th or 19th century, the refined artistry of Islamic glassmakers from the Middle East or North Africa. Standing just 6¼ inches tall with a maximum diameter of nearly 3 inches, its slender form suggests it was designed for practical yet elegant use—perhaps holding perfumes, oils, or rosewater in a wealthy household. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Art Department, it entered the collection in 1883 as a gift from collector Samuel L. M., highlighting early Western appreciation for Islamic decorative arts. The vase's creation showcas...