Object Image

During the Renaissance, Venetian glassmakers, working on the island of Murano, were celebrated across Europe for their fine and sparkling work. Called “cristallo” emulating the clarity of rock crystal, in the hands of the most skilled glassblowers the medium could be delightfully manipulated, variously stretched paper-thin flat, or playfully twisted, or blown into molds with spectacular patterns.

Credit: Gift of James Jackson Jarves, 1881

16th century
Glass
18.4 x 34.3cm
81.8.161
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019

Where you'll find this

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection