Modern history: Glass

Drinking vessels in both silver and glass were made by the Romans. The glass-making craft went into decline after the collapse of the Roman empire and, although glass was made in small quantities, it was not until the Renaissance that glass-making gained a prominent place in the decorative arts in venice. By the 16th century, Venice was producing fine and elegant drinking glasses. The soda glass was almost colourless and very thin. The often-decorated baluster stems had elements of very narrow section.