   
Filigrana Bottle (Kuttrolf) Glass, h. 23.8 cm, anonymous (Italian - Murano), late 16th or early 17th century J.P. Getty Museum The kuttrolf is a large, ornate, and often unusually shaped container used to hold and dispense liquids, particularly wine. It was popular during the Renaissance and early Baroque periods and often featured elaborate designs, serving as a ceremonial vessel in social settings, especially in the courts of Europe. This particular kuttrolf is a finely crafted glass vessel with a gracefully curved neck and a rounded body. Its slender, arched neck slows the flow of liquid to a trickle, which explains its name, derived from the Latin word gutta, meaning a drop of water. Kuttrolfen were prized not only for their unusual shapes, but also for the distinctive gurgling sound they produced when poured. The intricate decoration was achieved by blowing the glass using techniques known as vetro a fili and vetro a retorti. Perfected in the mid-1500s, this decorative style transformed the appearance of Venetian glass and quickly gained favour among wealthy international collectors.   |
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