Set Of 4 Mouth-blown Venetian Lidded Cups (1875-1900)

Magnificent mouth-blown Murano lidded vases with gilded decorative elements, Murano, fourth quarter of the 19th century.

The development of Venice as a center of European glassmaking began as early as the Middle Ages with the production of glass bottles, cups, and beads. In 1292, all activities were transferred to the islands of Murano, where they remain to this day. This measure, motivated mainly by the fear of fires in the city, allowed the glassblowers to form a closed and close-knit community. Towards the end of the 15th century, Venice turned to the production of occasional glass, of which these lidded cups are a good example. Dating from the end of the 19th century, these lidded cups are a typical example of imitations of historical glass sold to wealthy tourists on their Italian Grand Tour. This lot includes two clear and blue glass lidded goblets with hand-painted gold decoration, one ornamental glass inspired by a historical 16th-century example, and one lidded glass with gold decoration.

Condition: These lidded goblets are in good condition with no visible signs of damage.