Situla

Unknown

early 16th century · Glass, enameled and gilt · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Influenced by Islamic craftsmen, Venetian glassblowers began making gilt and enameled vessels as early as the fifteenth century. The decorative scales on this situla resulted from a multi-step process, which entailed reheating the piece a second time after the vessel was blown. The crudely finished handle is most likely not original.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 16th century

Medium

Glass, enameled and gilt

Culture

Italian, Venice (Murano)

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891