An exceptionally rare façon de Venise latticinio Kuttrolf, last third 16th century

Probably Low Countries, decorated with a loose-meshed network of lattimo threads, the asymmetrical tapered form curving slightly to one side, with a series of nine evenly spaced graduating constrictions, set on spreading conical foot with a folded rim, 19.4cm high

Provenance
Paul Gresswell-Wilkins Collection

Loose-meshed latticinio decoration of this type is incredibly rare and no other kuttrolf in this technique would appear to be recorded. The closest parallel is two goblets in a form sometimes known as 'Verres Coquilles' with a series of very similar graduated constrictions. One is illustrated by Raymond Chambon, L'histoire de la Verrerie en Belgique (1955), pl.XIV, no.48 and was sold by Christie's on 26 May 1982, lot 251, and the other is illustrated by Anna-Elisabeth Theuerkauff-Liederwald, Venezianisches Glas der Veste Coburg (1994), p.229, no.199. This kuttrolf, which is effectively an inverted version of the goblet with an added foot, is no doubt of related manufacture. The foot of the present lot can be compared to two tazzas with similar decoration, one in the British Museum (inv. no.S.570) illustrated by Hugh Tait, The Golden Age of Venetian Glass (1979), p.77, no.110 and one in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (inv. no.46986) illustrated by Erwin Baumgartner, Venise et façon de Venise (2003), pp.104-5, no.48.