Francesco Toso Barella (1846-1905) Venitian chalice with enamel decoration

About this piece

Beautiful Venetian crystal chalice decorated with polychrome enamel, this chalice has a special story.

This chalice was made after the bell tower of the San Marco church collapsed in 1903. In the remains of the tower they found a 15th century chalice. The chalice was no longer intact.

In response to this special find, Francesco Toso Barella decided to make a similar chalice as a reminder of the event and of the bell tower of San Marco. Partly it's decorated in accordance with the found chalice, partly with fantasy elements.

He made this in the same year for Compagnia Venezia Murano.

The chalice was also displayed at the 1904 World's Fair, at the Louisana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.

The chalice is made of blown crystal and has a trumpet-shaped base with a turned-down rim, decorated with alternating brick red and blue drops with gold brush shades. The cup is conical in shape and decorated in accordance with the 15th century tradition.

The cup has a decoration painted in enamel with 2 sea serpents, an eagle, a lion and flower figures. The colors of the enamel are blue, yellow, brick red, green, white and black accents. At the top is a frieze in gold leaf with stylized flowers in red, white and blue enamel.

The glass museum 'Museo Vetrario' in Murano, Venice and the Corning Museum of Glass in New York also have a copy in their collection.

Condition

Excellent