nef

Object NamePouring Vessel (nef)

Made FromGlass, Gilding

Date1600-1700

Place MadeItaly, Venice

TechniqueBlown, tooled, gilded, applied

SizeOverall H: 27.3 cm, W: 20.3 cm, D: 12.7 cm

Accession Number2009.3.8

Credit LinePurchased in part with funds from the F. M. Kirby Foundation

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Exhibitions

Medieval Glass for Popes, Princes, and Peasants

On ViewEuropean Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

A nef (from Old French nef, “ship”) is an elaborate table ornament or pouring vessel in the form of a boat.

Physical DescriptionPouring Vessel (nef). Colorloess, translucent deep blue. Blown; tooled, applied, gilded. Nef. Deep, bulbous bowl tapered on one side and flattened on other side to imitate shape of ship, “prow” of which is formed into long spout with applied wrap on rim. Lower two-thirds of “hull” is decorated with continuous fine spiral thread, and with gilded lion mask framed by two prunts of translucent blue glass on either side. Bowl is surmounted by “rigging” of colorless glass (top ornament, originally in colorless and translucent blue glass, is now missing); joined by merese to flattened mold-blown ribs ball knop; attached by merese to pedestal foot with infolded rim and pontil mark.
Provenance

Source Kunstzalen A. Vecht

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