Bell-shaped beaker

Merovingian Glass is often cited as evidence of the deterioration of Glass art after the fall of the Roman Empire. Indeed, a decline in quality already started during the late Roman Empire; it seems people lost interest in the very careful production of Glass on a large scale. Moreover, in the early Middle Ages the end of the Roman Empire meant that trade routes to the Middle East were much more difficult to traverse or were completely cut off and thus the supply sources of the best raw materials dried up. It is remarkable that, under the chaotic circumstances of the Migration Period, Glass production could be continued at all in northern Europe, some of which was even of exceptional quality. As early as the 8th century the region witnessed a technological revolution, which made north European Glass production independent of Oriental raw materials and laid the foundations for one of the most wonderful Glass creations, namely, the stained Glass of the High Middle Ages. (Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk)