Short video: single technique

Lion-mask Stem

Lion-mask Stem

The lion-mask stem is a hollow stem made by blowing a gather into a mold patterned with two lion’s masks, usually separated by festoons. Such stems were first used in Venice in the 16th century, and they later became a hallmark of façon de Venise glass. In this video, a lion-mask stem is blown in a mold.

Transcript

Full-sized mold blowing is relatively rare in Renaissance Venetian glass.  A bubble of glass is lowered into a terra-cotta mold, blown hard, and the mold is opened, thus creating both the final size and the final decoration.

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Goblet with Lion Stem, Venice, Italy, 1550-1600. 56.3.57.
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Filigree Goblet, Venice, Italy, 1575-1675. 50.3.3.
50.3.3
Goblet Vase, 1570-1630. 53.3.39.
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Devotional Bottle with Saint Nicholas of Bari, Venice, Italy, 1600-1699. 2000.3.7.
2000.3.7
Flask, Venice, Italy, 1600-1699. Gift of Sheldon Barr and Thomas Gardner. 2010.3.1.
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Footed Jar, probably Venice, Italy, about 1570-1600. 60.3.87.
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See all: Objects and Techniques

object information
Decorative Technique(s):
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Lion-mask Stem
Accession Number:
79.3.997
Dimensions:
Overall H: 16.8 cm; Rim Diam: 7 cm; Foot Diam: 8 cm
Date:
about 1600-1650
Place Made:
Venice, Italy
Credit:
Gift of The Ruth Bryan Strauss Memorial Foundation

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