Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Glass production in the Middle Ages from Italy to Central Europe: the contribution of archaeometry to the history of technology

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Chemical Papers Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The present paper reports and discusses data obtained by a combined archaeological and archaeometric study carried out on an assemblage of selected Medieval glass finds from the Monastery of St. Severus in Classe (Ravenna, Italy) and ascribable to the 13–16th CE. Glassware belonging to three main typological groups was selected for this study: ampoules, nuppenbecher and kropfflasche. Such a choice mainly stems from the intent to evaluate typological and compositional affinities of these peculiar vessel typologies with the same forms unearthed in different regions of Central Europe, as a starting point for a possible reconstruction of trade contacts between Italy and Central Europe. Archaeological contextualisation of the site and chrono-typological study of glass vessels were associated to ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) analyses, performed to characterise the composition of the glassy matrix (major and minor components as well as trace elements). The results, elaborated according to the archaeometric glass classification and provenancing of raw materials, shed new light on glass production in late Medieval times and can be broaden framed as a starting point for interpreting relations and exchanges between geographical areas and related cultures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andjelić P (1975) Un aperçu de la typologie du verre médiéval en Bosnie et en Herzégovine. In: Čubrilović V (ed) Srednjovekovno staklo na Balkanv/Verre medieval aux Balkans. Balkan Institute, Serbian Academy of Sciences, Belgrade, pp 167–175

    Google Scholar 

  • Augenti A (2007) La basilica e il monastero di San Severo a Classe. La storia, gli scavi. Elios, Ravenna

  • Augenti A, Cirelli E (2014) San Severo and religious life in Ravenna during the ninth and tenth centuries. In: Herrin J, Nelson J (eds) Ravenna: its role in earlier medieval change and exchange. Institute of Historical Research, London, pp 297–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Augenti A, Begnozzi I, Bondi M et al (2012) Il monastero di San Severo a Classe: risultati delle campagne di scavo 2006–2011. In: Redi F, Forgione A (eds) Atti del VI Convegno SAMI (L’Aquila, 2012). All’Insegna del Giglio, Firenze, pp 238–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkoudah Y, Henderson J (2006) Plant ashes from Syria and the manufacture of ancient glass: ethnographic and scientific aspects. J Glass Stud 48:297–321

    Google Scholar 

  • Basso E, Messiga B, Riccardi MP (2008) Stones from medieval glassmaking a suitable waste product for reconstructing an early stage of the melting process in the Mt Lecco glass factory. Archaeometry 50:822–834. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2007.00375.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bianchin S, Brianese N, Casellato U et al (2005) Medieval and renaissance glass technology in Valdelsa (Florence). Part 2: vitreous finds and sands. J Cult Herit 6:39–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2004.07.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brill RH (1999) Chemical analyses of early glasses. The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Brianese N, Casellato U, Fenzi F et al (2005) Medieval and Renaissance glass technology in Tuscany. Part 4: The XIVth sites of Santa Cristina (Gambassi-Firenze) and Poggio Imperiale (Siena). J Cult Herit 6:213–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2005.03.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cagno S, Janssens K, Mendera M (2008) Compositional analysis of Tuscan glass samples: in search of raw material fingerprints. Anal Bioanal Chem 391:1389–1395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-008-1945-8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cagno S, Mendera M, Jeffries T, Janssens K (2010) Raw materials for medieval to post-medieval Tuscan glassmaking: new insight from LA–ICP–MS analyses. J Archaeol Sci 37:3030–3036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2010.06.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cagno S, Brondi Badano M, Mathis F et al (2012a) Study of medieval glass fragments from Savona (Italy) and their relation with the glass produced in Altare. J Archaeol Sci 39:2191–2197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2012.03.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cagno S, Favaretto L, Mendera M et al (2012b) Evidence of early medieval soda ash glass in the archaeological site of San Genesio (Tuscany). J Archaeol Sci 39:1540–1552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2011.12.031

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chinni T (2017) Le bottiglie kropfflasche: testimonianze dal Monastero di San Severo di Classe (Ravenna)

  • Cozza F (1988) Ritrovamento di ceramiche e vetri dei secoli XIV–XV nel palazzo gìa Dondi dall’Orologio a Padova. Archeol veneta 11:235–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson GR (1940) A medieval glass-factory at Corinth. Am J Archaeol 44:297–324. https://doi.org/10.2307/499721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Degryse P, Schneider J (2008) Pliny the Elder and Sr-Nd isotopes: tracing the provenance of raw materials for Roman glass production. J Archaeol Sci 35:1993–2000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2008.01.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delucca O (1998) Ceramisti e vetrai a Rimini in età Malatestiana. Rimini

  • Duckworth CN, de la Llave RC, Faber EW et al (2015) Electron microprobe analysis of 9th–12th century islamic glass from córdoba, Spain. Archaeometry 1:27–50. https://doi.org/10.1111/arcm.12079

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fossati S, Mannoni T (1975) Lo scavo della vetreria di Monte Lecco. Archeol Mediev 2:31–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Foy D, Bailly-Maître M-C (2014) Verres médiévux (XIIIe-XIVe siècle) à dècor de gouttes rapportées. Les térmoignages du midi de la France et leurs parallèles: variantes, chronologie et filiations. Archèologie Mèdièvale 44:125–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Freestone I, Greenwood R, Gorin-Rosen Y (2002) Byzantine and Early Islamic glassmaking in the Eastern Mediterrnean: production and distribution of primary glass. In: Kordas G (ed) Hyalos-Vitrum-Glass. History, technology and conservation of glass and vitreous materials in the Hellenistic world, 1st International Conference. Rhodes, Greece. 1–4 April 2001. Glasnet, Athens. pp 167–174

  • Freestone IC, Gutjahr M, Kunicki-Goldfinger J et al (2015) Composition, technology and origin of the glass from the workshop at 35 Basinghall Street. In: Wardle A, Freestone IC, McKenzie M, Sheperd J (eds) Glass working on the margins of Roman London. Museum of London Archeology, London, pp 75–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallo F, Silvestri A (2012) Medieval glass from rocca di asolo (Northern Italy): an archaeometric study. Archaeometry 54:1023–1039. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4754.2011.00656.x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gasparetto A (1975) La verrerie vénetienne et ses relations avec le Levant balkanique au Moyen âge. In: Čubrilović V (ed) Srednjovekovno staklo na Balkanv/Verre medieval aux Balkans. Balkan Institute, Serbian Academy of Sciences, Belgrade, pp 143–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasparetto A (1982) Catalogo delle opere dalle origini all’età moderna. In: Barovier Mentasti R, Dorigato A, Gasparetto A, Toninato T (eds) Mille anni di arte del vetro a Venezia. Albrizzi Editore, Venezia, pp 59–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Genga A, Siciliano M, Tepore A et al (2008) An archaeometric approach about the study of medieval glass from Siponto (Foggia, Italy). Microchem J 90:56–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2008.03.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gliozzo E (2016) The composition of colourless glass: a review. Archaeol Anthropol Sci 1:455–483. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-016-0388-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gruppioni G, Vaccaro C, Visser Travagli AM (2007) L'attività vetraria del XV secolo a Ferrara: indagini petroarcheometriche. In: Ferrari D, Visser Travagli AM (eds) Il vetro nell'Alto Adriatico. Atti delle 9° Giornate nazionali di studio. La Mandragola Editrice, Roma, pp 111–120

  • Gyürky KH (1986) The use of glass in medieval Hungary. J Glass Stud 28:70–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Harden DB (1971) Ancient glass, III: post Roman. Archaeol J 128:78–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson CM, Joyner L, Booth CA et al (2003) Roman glass-making at Coppergate, York? analytical evidence for the nature of production. Archaeometry 45:435–456

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Librenti M, Zanarini M (1998) Archeologia e storia di un borgo nuovo bolognese: Castelfranco Emilia (MO). In: Gelichi S (ed) Archeologia medievale in Emilia occidentale. Ricerche e studi. S. A. P. Società Archeologica s.r.l, Mantova, pp 79–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Maioli MG (1992) Materiali dei vivi e dei morti. In: Turchini A (ed) Rimini medievale. Contributi per la storia della città. Ghigi Editore, Rimini, pp 237–304

  • Manzia MG (2004) I vetri nel Museo Civico di Crema e del Cremasco: alcune considerazioni. Insul Fulcheria Rass di Stud Doc e testimonianze Stor del Cremasco 34:65–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Pusch E, Rehren T (2007) Hochtemperatur-Technologiein der Ramses-Stadt: Rubinglas für den Pharao. Gerstenberg Verlag, Hildesheim

  • Quartieri S, Riccardi MP, Messiga B, Boscherini F (2005) The ancient glass production of the Medieval Val Gargassa glasshouse: Fe and Mn XANES study. J Non Cryst Solids 351:3013–3022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2005.06.046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rehren T, Freestone IC (2015) Ancient glass: from kaleidoscope to crystal ball. J Archaeol Sci 56:233–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2015.02.021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rigoni AM (1987) “I materiali” in Asolo. Progetto Rocca: scavo 1986. Quad di Archeol del Veneto 3:62

    Google Scholar 

  • Schibille N, Freestone IC (2013) Composition, Production and Procurement of Glass at San Vincenzo al Volturno: an Early medieval monastic complex in Southern Italy. PLoS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076479

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sedláčkovà H (2006) Ninth- to Mid-16th-Century Glass Finds in Moravia. J Glass Stud 48:191–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedláčková H, Rohanová D, Lesák B, Šimončičová-Koóšová P (2014) Medieval glass from Bratislava (ca 1200–1450) in the context of contemporaneous glass production and trade contacts. Památky Archeol CV 105:215–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Silvestri A, Molin G, Salviulo G (2005) Roman and Medieval glass from the Italian area: bulk characterization and relationships with production technologies. Archaeom 47(4):797–816

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stiaffini D (1993) I materiali vitrei. In: Piancastelli Politi G (ed) La chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata in Lucca, dagli scavi archeologici al restauro. Pacini Fazzi Editore, Lucca, pp 693–710

  • Testori G (1992) “I vetri” in Le campagne di scavo al Castello di Zuccola in Cividale del Friuli. Archeol Mediev 19:274–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Tite MS, Shortland A, Maniatis Y et al (2006) The composition of the soda-rich and mixed alkali plant ashes used in the production of glass. J Archaeol Sci 33:1284–1292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2006.01.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomadin V (1988) I vetri. In: Tomadin V (ed) Le ceramiche quattrocentesche di Palazzo de Nordis in Cividale. Catalogo della Mostra (Cividale del Friuli, S. Maria di Corte, 1988). Grafiche Editoriali Artistiche Pondenonesi, Pordenone, pp 38–43

  • Van Der Linden V, Bultinck E, De Ruytter J et al (2005) Compositional analysis of 17–18th century archaeological glass fragments, excavated in Mechelen, Belgium: comparison with data from neighboring cities in the Low Countries. Nucl Instruments Methods Phys Res Sect B Beam Interact with Mater Atoms 239:100–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2005.06.219

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vannini G (1987) Vetri. In: Vannini G (ed) L’antico Palazzo dei Vescovi a Pistoia: I documenti archeologici. Olschki Editore, Firenze, pp 619–644

  • Verità M, Toninato T (1990) A comparative analytical investigation on the origins of Venetian Glassmaking. RSSV 20:169–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Visser Travagli AM (2000) Vetri medievali da uno scavo urbano di Ferrara: analisi archeologica e tecnologica. In: Nenna M-D (ed) Annales du 14e Congres de l’Association Internationale pour l’Histoire du Verre (Venezia-Milano, 1998). Association Internationale pour l’Histoire du Verre, Lochem, pp 265–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenzel M (1975) Analysis of some glass from Hercegovina. In: Čubrilović V (ed) Srednjovekovno staklo na Balkanv/Verre medieval aux Balkans. Balkan Institute, Serbian Academy of Sciences, Belgrade, pp 197–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitehouse D (1993) The date of the “Agora South Centre” workshop at Corinth. Archeol Mediev 20:659–662

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This publication was created in the frame of the FunGlass Project, funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement n. 739566. Authors would like, therefore, to acknowledge the Fun Glass Project for the analyses and the facilities used.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy

    Mariangela Vandini & Sara Fiorentino

  2. Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Tania Chinni

  3. Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Trenčín, Slovakia

    Dagmar Galusková & Hana Kaňková

Authors
  1. Mariangela Vandini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tania Chinni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sara Fiorentino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dagmar Galusková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hana Kaňková
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sara Fiorentino.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vandini, M., Chinni, T., Fiorentino, S. et al. Glass production in the Middle Ages from Italy to Central Europe: the contribution of archaeometry to the history of technology. Chem. Pap. 72, 2159–2169 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-018-0441-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-018-0441-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation