Fragment

Art Historical Context

This delicate "Fragment" consists of small shards of glass and ceramic vessels ranging from a mere ¾ inch to 3¼ inches in height. Dating to around 1150–1250, these likely once formed part of everyday or ceremonial containers, showcasing the craftsmanship of the High Middle Ages. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arms and Armor Department classified as glass vessels, they hint at discovery in archaeological contexts, perhaps alongside military artifacts from medieval sites. The uncertain European or Middle Eastern origins reflect the vibrant cultural exchanges of the Crusades era, when Islamic glassblowing techniques influenced Byzantine and Western European artisans. Glass, often translucent and iridescent, and ceramics, possibly glazed for durability, highlight advanced medieval technologies—methods like free-blowing for glass and wheel-throwing for clay that produced functional yet elegant wares. Gifted to the Met in 1928 by prominent collectors including Bashford Dean, these fragments offer a tangible glimpse into 12th-century life, reminding us how even broken pieces preserve stories of trade, innovation, and daily rituals across continents.