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Terms and conditions of use
Tazza
(late 17th century-early 18th century)
Medium
glass (girasole)
Measurements
2.3 × 17.1 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1871
Gallery location
16th & 17th Century Gallery - Painting and Sculpture
Mezzanine linked to Level 1, NGV International
About this work
This small tazza is executed in a glass known as girasole. The opalescence of the glass is due to the presence of lead hydrogen arsenate crystals in the metal. Girasole is the Italian word for ‘sunflower’ but also refers to a type of opal gemstone whose iridescence this glass recalls. Girasole glass was particularly popular at the end of the seventeenth century and during the first two decades of the twentieth century.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Venice, Italy
Accession Number
12-D1R
Department
International Decorative Arts
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited