Artwork

Glass Fragment

Glass Fragment, unspecified, 1349
Glass Fragment, unspecified, 1349

Glass Fragment is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1349 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The object is a fragment of glass that has been painted with decorative motifs.

About this work

Technique & Style

The artwork is classified as a painting created on glass support, dating to 1349. Its formal qualities reflect the stylistic characteristics of 14th-century painting, though specific details of execution are not elaborated in the provided sources. The work is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and is housed in New York.

History & Provenance

Provenance and ownership: the painting was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has been part of its holdings since its inception on 1349-01-01.

The work was created in 1349 and classified as a painting. It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.

Provenance and ownership: the painting was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has been part of its holdings since its inception on 1349-01-01.

Commission and creation history: the work is attributed to an anonymous artist and was produced in 1349, reflecting the artistic practice of that period.

The Glass Fragment is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued under the accession number 1984.239.1. The work entered the museum's holdings in 1984 and is classified within the Met's holdings as a painting, dated to 1349. No exhibition history is documented in the available sources.

Overview

The object is a fragment of glass that has been painted with decorative motifs. The piece is irregular, with chipped edges and areas where the paint has faded. Its dimensions are modest, and the surface bears a pale, elongated figure that could be interpreted as a bird or a hand, set above a yellow band featuring a woven pattern and scattered black dots.

Subject & Meaning

The central pale shape, rendered in simple lines, suggests a stylized bird or perhaps a hand with elongated, feather‑like extensions, a motif common in ancient decorative arts. The surrounding yellow field with its interlaced design and punctate accents may have functioned as a background that emphasized the figure’s symbolic or ornamental role.

Context

Glass objects bearing painted designs were common in antiquity for both functional and decorative purposes, often incorporated into temples, public buildings, or elite residences. The bird‑like motif could relate to local mythological or religious symbolism, while the geometric background reflects broader aesthetic trends of the period.

Legacy

Fragments such as this contribute to the understanding of early glass painting techniques and the visual language of ancient decorative arts. Their study helps scholars trace the diffusion of glassworking skills and the evolution of symbolic imagery across regions.

Fragment of a Wall Painting
Fragment of a Wall Painting

Artist & collection

Frequently asked questions

Where can I see Glass Fragment?

Glass Fragment is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Glass Fragment?

Glass Fragment is associated with Gothic painting.