From the mid-15th century Venice dominated the European
tableware market with exotic, beautifully-made glasses that were
exported widely. To contemporaries, 'Venetian' was a term
denoting both quality and style - though by the late 16th
century, 'Venetian-style' glass was being made in Antwerp,
Amsterdam, London and other European centres, as well as in
Venice. 'Venetian-style' glass was very clear and colourless
('cristallo') - though now it often appears cloudy or greyish.
Opaque white, bright blue and other deep colours also appear.
Glassblowers often used ribbed or patterned moulds - for
example, to make beakers or drinking-glass stems - and pre-
formed glass 'canes' of contrasting colours to produce striped
or mesh effects. Some glasses were gilded, enamelled or
engraved. The Museum's collection is particularly important for
studying the final stages of the 'Venetian style' in the 17th
century. For 'Inghistera' bottles (made in Venice and elsewhere
from the 15th century), see the Medieval section. Related