Unknown Maker, Italian

The gilded brass dolphin handles and mask mounted on this bowl are examples of the grotesque style, a type of ancient Roman decoration rediscovered during Renaissance archaeological excavations. Grotesque ornament incorporates fantastic beasts and whimsical figures within fanciful scrollwork or foliage. Venetian glassmakers first began producing glass in the late 900s, and they were widely celebrated for their work during the Renaissance. This bowl showcases the brilliant blue color achieved at the height of Venice’s glass production.