Bowl and Cover thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 3

Bowl and Cover

ca. 1775 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Royal glass factory at La Granja in close proximity to the Royal Palace of La Granja, was first started by 1727 by King Philip V of Spain. Its main aim was to provide mirror glass, chandeliers and table glass for the royal palaces and to increase the international status of the Bourbon kings who sought to rival the main European courts. Especially the mirror glass production was to become one of the most advanced of the period.
For its table glass, the factory specialised in rather simple, blown shapes in colourless glass, decorated with simple cutting and incised leaf-gold.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Bowl Body
  • Bowl Cover
Materials and techniques
Cut glass with incised gilt decoration
Brief description
Bowl, colourless glass, engraved and gilt, Spanish, 18th century

SP, G, 18
Physical description
Colourless glass bowl and cover with cut and incised leaf-gold decoration of the heraldic badges of the kingdoms of Spain (the lion of Léon; the castle of Castille; the pomegranate of Granada) and the fleur-de-lys of the ruling Bourbon family
Gallery label
Covered bowl About 1775 This bowl is decorated with the heraldic symbols of the kingdoms of Spain and its ruling Bourbon dynasty. It was made at the royal Spanish glassworks in the palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, near Madrid. The glassworks was founded in 1727 by King Philip V to make mirrors, chandeliers and table glass for the royal palaces and to help boost the court’s international reputation. Spain (Segovia) Made at the La Granja de San Ildefonso royal glass factory Glass, with engraved gold leaf (09/12/2015)
Object history
Formerly in the Collection of Lady Charlotte Schrieber.
Historical context
This covered bowl would probably have had a matching glass stand in the shape of a dish. It is a serving dish, probably for preserved fuit.
Summary
The Royal glass factory at La Granja in close proximity to the Royal Palace of La Granja, was first started by 1727 by King Philip V of Spain. Its main aim was to provide mirror glass, chandeliers and table glass for the royal palaces and to increase the international status of the Bourbon kings who sought to rival the main European courts. Especially the mirror glass production was to become one of the most advanced of the period.
For its table glass, the factory specialised in rather simple, blown shapes in colourless glass, decorated with simple cutting and incised leaf-gold.
Bibliographic reference
Honey 1946, p. 147 & plate 49B
Other number
Collection
Accession number
C.68&A-1925

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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