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Vase in the Shape of a Pilgrim Flask
(Renaissance Europe )
The colorful floral ornaments with fantastical creatures reflect the Italian Renaissance delight in the patterns with composite figures called "grotesques" because they were first seen in the decoration of an underground room, or grotto, found in the ruins of Nero's palace in Rome. The use of painted enamel applied to fragile glass was developed in Renaissance Venice in imitation of earlier Near Eastern vessels by Islamic craftsmen.
The shape of the vase is a traditional one that goes back to the shape of a gourd or rough leather flask used by pilgrims for carrying water. These objects were for display; the paradox of creating a seemingly utilitarian object from an impossibly fragile material amused collectors in the 17th century.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Henry Walters, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 1982 | 3000 Years of Glass: Treasures from The Walters Art Gallery. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
| 1971-1972 | World of Wonder. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| 11/3/1971 | Treatment | cleaned; repaired |
Geographies
Italy, Venice (Place of Origin)
Measurements
12 1/16 in. (30.7 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
47.315