Venetian-style glass

From the mid-15th century Venice dominated the European tableware market with exotic, beautifully-made glasses that were exported widely. To contemporaries, 'Venetian' was a term denoting both quality and style - though by the late 16th century, 'Venetian-style' glass was being made in Antwerp, Amsterdam, London and other European centres, as well as in Venice.

'Venetian-style' glass was very clear and colourless ('cristallo') - though now it often appears cloudy or greyish. Opaque white, bright blue and other deep colours also appear. Glassblowers often used ribbed or patterned moulds - for example, to make beakers or drinking-glass stems - and pre-formed glass 'canes' of contrasting colours to produce striped or mesh effects. Some glasses were gilded, enamelled or engraved.

The Museum's collection is particularly important for studying the final stages of the 'Venetian style' in the 17th century. For 'Inghistera' bottles (made in Venice and elsewhere from the 15th century), see the Medieval section.

Related objects

There are 781 related objects.

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24727 drinking glass; goblet. 1591-1610	24535 tazza. 1485-1714	21841 tazza. 1501-1600	16709 tazza. 1485-1714
5187 beaker. 1485-1714	5148 beaker. 1501-1700	98.1/22 drinking glass; goblet. 1591-1620	98.1/9 drinking glass; goblet. 1501-1665
16679 beaker. 1501-1635	16567 beaker. 1566-1635	16543 drinking glass. 1501-1700	12415b vessel. 1501-1700
5150 beaker. 1401-1600	5128 bowl. 1701-1800	5112 beaker. 1566-1635	5111 beaker. 1501-1635
5109 beaker. 1566-1635	2446 beaker. 1501-1635	NN23673 drinking glass. 1501-1700	A27972 beaker. 1566-1635
A22971 beaker. 1566-1635	A3950 beaker. 1566-1635	A23487 drinking glass; goblet. 1670s	15228b drinking glass; wine glass. 1671-1680