Jug

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Jug

Place of OriginSouthern Germany

Dateabout 1700

Dimensions9 in. (22.9 cm)

Mediumgold ruby glass with silver

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1913.444

On View

Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion (2444 Monroe Street), Glass Pavilion Gallery, 4

DescriptionTransparent gold ruby glass; blown, applied, copper-wheel engraved; cover and foot gilded and chased silver

Label TextGold-ruby glass was held in great esteem in the 17th and 18th centuries and considered a special material, distinct from any other type of glass. The rich, deep red color that most closely resembled the fire of rubies was achieved by adding gold to colorless molten glass. Exceedingly difficult to manufacture, it was limited to a small luxury-goods market and intended more for display than for actual use. The engraved scene on this wine jug depicts a scene from the Old Testament: Joshua and Caleb, two of Moses’ spies sent to explore the “promised land” of Canaan, return with news of Canaan’s abundance, demonstrated by the extreme size of the grape cluster they carry between them.Published ReferencesPage, Jutta-Annette, The Art of Glass: Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, Toledo Museum of Art, 2006, p. 110, repr. (col.).