Wineglass

Art Historical Context

This elegant wineglass, hailing from Venice's renowned Murano glassworks and possibly dating to the 17th century exemplifies the pinnacle of Italian decorative arts. Standing at just 6 3/4 × 3 3/8 inches, its delicate form—likely featuring the island's signature transparency and intricate patterns—served both practical and aesthetic purposes in elite Venetian households. Murano, a tiny islet in the Venetian lagoon, had been Europe's glassmaking capital since the 13th century, when the Republic relocated furnaces there to safeguard precious techniques from fire and foreign spies. Crafted from ...