AN ENAMELLED AND GILT RUBY GLASS EWER

This form appears to be based on a rock crystal ewer made in circa 1000-1050 in Egypt during the Fatimad period (969-1171 AD), an example of which can be seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum collection (Museum no. 7904-1862). Rock crystal was especially prized amongst the Fatimad rulers, the caliphs, and contemporary accounts of their treasures describe some 36,000 items of rock crystal and cut glass, including '90 ewers, of the clearest and best crystal'.

An enamelled and gilt clear glass ewer made by Baccarat in imitation of the 11th century type can be seen in the Musée des arts decoratifs, Paris, Inv. 18355.