La Coppa Barovier (The Barovier Wedding Bowl) is an object of historical interest and undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of Murano glass. The bowl is made of dark blue colbalt Murano glass, and is completely decorated by hand with enamels and 24kt gold.

It was, and is still today, given as a wedding gift as it is said to bring good luck to the happy couple!

It was made especially as a wedding gift for the Duke of Ferrara and a noble lady from the Estense family. They perhaps are the two characters depicted in the medallions on the bowl. There are also two symbolic scenes: one representing a group of ladies on horseback, and the other representing a bath in the fountain of love and youth.

The shape of the bowl, clearly of French-Gothic origin and the costumes of the characters depicted on it, suggests that it dates back to the second half of the 15th century. The Coppa Barovier is so important that even today it is produced in the same way that the original was made more than 500 years ago, and it remains a rare and precious reminder of the skill of the glass artisans in 15th century Murano.

The Coppa Barovier sits proudly on display in Murano's Glass Museum in Palazzo Giustinian, which has housed the Museum since 1861, and where you can admire a wonderful collection of glass objects, from the archaeological pieces of the 2nd century B.C. to the most recent creations of Murano glass art.

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Cup demensions and cost:

Large: approx 8 inches diameter/8 inches height-$500

Medium: approx 6 inches diameter/6 inches height-$400

Small: approx 4 inches diameter/ 4 inches height-$250