Pair of small ampoules in colorless, transparent blown glass, in “piumato” pattern.
The funnel-shaped neck decorated by two threads in blue glass. A handle in colorless, transparent glass decorated with “morise” is attached to the body through a shell in glass. The body is decorated by a spiral of white milk-glass threads which pattern is known as “piumato“, “a penne” (Eng. “plumed”), or “a pettine” (Eng. “in comb pattern”).
Our picture might deceive the perception of the viewer for what concerns the actual size; both ampoules are very small, light and delicate.
Keen observers may have noticed that inside the ampoules wax residues are to be seen. Wax traces? How come?
Well, it is very likely that our pair of small glass vessels first had a liturgical use. It is not hard to imagine them decorating an altar table, between candles, one containing wine, the other some water for the Eucharist.
Blown glass is one of the most fragile existing materials. Furthermore, if its transparencies have been reflecting lights and colors of four hundred years of history, its safety cannot but be in jeopardy.
The handle of one of the ampoules has indeed met an ill fate: at a certain point of its existence, it must have suffered a shock and it is now missing its upper part.
Similar ampoules are now preserved in the Glass Museum of Murano, Venice and at Museo Poldi Pezzoli, in Milan.
Murano, Venezia or “façon de Venise”, 17th century.
References:
– Museo del Vetro di Murano Cl. VI n. 01108, Cl. VI 00054 e Cl. VI 00055;
– Catalogo del Museo Poldi Pezzoli Milano – Le guide del Museo (Vetri), Tipografia IR.SA, Firenze 1991, n° 25
Bibliography:
– “Vetri italiani del Cinquecento” by G. Mariacher, Milano 1959, pag. 73;
– “Vetri italiani del Rinascimento” by G. Mariacher, Milano 1963, pag. 99;
– “Mille anni di arte del vetro a Venezia”, by Rosa Barovier Mentasti, Attilia Dorigato, Astone Gasparetto, Tullio Toninato, Albrizzi editore di Marsilio Editori Venezia 1989, pagg. 138-139 fig. 191;
– “Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Ceramiche. Vetri. Mobili e arredi”, by E. Roffia, G. Mariacher, Electa editore, Milano 1983 pag. 183, nn°150, 151;
– “I vetri di Murano” in “Il Museo Poldi Pezzoli”, by A. Mottola Molfino, edizione della Cassa di Risparmio delle Provincie Lombarde, Milano 1972, pag. 193 fig. 378
Size:
Height: 10,5 cm;
Diameter at the mouth: 5 cm
Price: €1900 for the pair
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