Description
In addition to vessels, the glass kilns of Venice produced some devotional badges such as this one. These small objects may have been collected by pilgrims as mementos. This example probably recalls a journey to Santiago da Compostella in distant Spain, one of the greatest medieval pilgrimage destinations. Thought to imitate more valuable carved gems, these glass-plate medallions were made in large quantity by pressing a mold over opaque or transparent molten glass.
Provenance
T. Easton, London (Christie's, London, 3 July 1985, lot 19); (Ellin Mitchell Works of Art, New York).
Accession Number
1985.146
Medium
molded green glass
Dimensions
Overall: 2.9 x 2.6 cm (1 1/8 x 1 in.)
Classification
Glass
Credit Line
Lawrence Hitchcock Fund