Double-walled Beaker with a Balloon Ascension

Object Name: 
Double-walled Beaker with a Balloon Ascension

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Object Name: 
Double-walled Beaker with a Balloon Ascension
Place Made: 
Accession Number: 
64.3.118
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 14.6 cm; Body Diam: 12.7 cm
Location: 
On Display
Date: 
about 1814
Primary Description: 
Colorless non-lead glass; blown, cut, enameled, gilt, double- walled. (a) Tapered, straight-sided shape; double-walled, the outer glass ending just below the rim of the inner, which has a ledge below the rim; enameled (?) black bands on the inside and outside rims of the two glasses, further decorated on the exterior sides with finely gilt bands of oak leaves and acorns; tiny lambrequin borders below; black enamel (?) band near the base of the outer tumbler, with gilt band of linked diamonds and a tiny lambrequin border above; colored three-dimensional continuous scene of a balloon ascension in the space between the two glasses, composed of painted cut-out paper, fibers, and bits of glass; a group of people standing in the foreground, watching the balloon ascend over a canal, with more people, trees, a bridge and boats in the distance; to the left, a fortification with tower (or lighthouse); on the reverse, islands, trees and sailboats; polished, flat foot rim and polished concave bottom; inscribed "38" in bright red paint. (b) Domed shape with faceted ball finial, gilt on top; sloping sides, with cut pointed facets; black enameled (?) band on the underside, gilt acorn, oak leaf and lambrequin border, matching those on (a); rounded rim; tapered brim with gilt lambrequin band; separate domed plaque inserted, and cemented at the rim; gilt lambrequin border at the edge; gilt, flat rim; painted paper and fibers in the space between the cover and dome insert.
Department: 
Provenance: 
Davis, Cecil, Source
Category: 
Optical Play: glass, vision and spectacle in Russian culture (2014) illustrated, p. 117;
A Connoisseur's Guide to Antique Glass (1999) illustrated, p. 71; BIB# 67965
Treasures from The Corning Museum of Glass (1992) illustrated, p. 69, #62; BIB# 35679
The Russian Love Affair with Glass (1988-08) illustrated, p. 263;
The Aeronauts (1980) p. 40, ill.; BIB# 20875
Le Verre dans Tous ses Reflets (1973-06) pp. 36-41, ill. p. 38;
Recent Important Acquisitions, 7 (1965) illustrated, p. 129, #41; BIB# AI97743