Bowl

c. 1665

Bowl, c. 1665. Attributed to Johann Schaper (German, 1635–1670). Wheel engraved glass; enamel; diameter: 7 x 7 cm (2 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, John L. Severance Fund 1950.157 Johann Schaper (1621-1670) was a German painter of stained glass, mainly working in Nuremberg and Regensberg, who later turned to decorating glass and ceramics from his home, which was typical of artisans in the 17th century (hausmaler). His style was mainly a linear one in the manner of engravings, and often he worked in black (schwarzlot) or dark colors. Schaper was so influential that other artisans tried to copy his technique, in which he scratched out details with a needle, with varying degrees of success. The fine details of the decoration were achieved by scratching away the enamel with a needle.