Iced chalice

This conical chalice is special. "Iced glass" was immersed, still hot, into iced water to force the crinkled effect. During the process many pieces of glass broke, and so those remaining were rarer and more expensive. The technique appeared in the Venetian area in the mid 16th century, and continued for the entire 17th century. The chalice has been dated through comparison to similar, but not identical, models in other antique glass collections. Probably purchased by the brothers Fausto and Giuseppe at the end of the 19th century, the chalice is still displayed--as are all other objects in the museum--in its original place, thus contributing to the authentic "time capsule" ambiance.