vase with dragon appendage, Salviati & C.

Artwork Overview

active 1859–present
vase with dragon appendage, 1875–1899
Where object was made: Murano, Venice, Italy
Material/technique: blown glass; girasol
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 21.5 x 16.5 x 9.8 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 8 7/16 x 6 1/2 x 3 7/8 in
Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial
Accession number: 1928.6235.a
On display: Kress Gallery

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Images

Label texts

Intersections

Glass pieces produced by the Venetian glassmakers at Salviati & C. were the perfect souvenirs for travelers in the late 19th and early 20th century. The delicate, glistening forms brought together centuries-old traditions and contemporary innovations that could be displayed in homes to demonstrate culture and taste.

The curving white and gold decorations on this Bohemian glass vase are often described as arabesque, defined as “an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration.” Although this word is potentially considered neutral today, the popularity of arabesque decorations is tied to Orientalism, the stereotyped and colonially influenced representation of Eastern cultures by white Europeans.

The rounded body and elongated spout of this maiolica bottle is meant to reference a pilgrim flask, a container for drinking water usually made of leather or a dried gourd and carried by religious travelers on journeys called pilgrimages. This ceramic version is too large to be carried on a pilgrimage. Instead, it was used to decant wine as part of an elaborate dinner service in 16th-century Duchy of Urbino, located in what is now central Italy.

Intersections

Glass pieces produced by the Venetian glassmakers at Salviati & C. were the perfect souvenirs for travelers in the late 19th and early 20th century. The delicate, glistening forms brought together centuries-old traditions and contemporary innovations that could be displayed in homes to demonstrate culture and taste.

Exhibitions

James O. Smith, curator
John Wilson, curator
1990–1991
Chassica Kirchhoff, curator
2011–2012
Cassandra Mesick Braun, curator
2022–2027
Cassandra Mesick Braun, curator
2022–2027