Schwarzlot enamelling on glass

Schwarzlot denotes a sepia-coloured enamel used for painting on glass. Corning Museum of Glass describes its use first in stained glass and later on vessels, alone or with other enamels or gold. The term concerns decoration, not a glass body that is black throughout.

A documented example is the museum's beaker 2010.3.143, dated about 1675 and associated with enameller Johann Anton Carli in the Rhine Palatinate. Its blown glass carries painted figure scenes and ornament. This illustrates why the vessel and the artist responsible for its decoration may require separate catalogue information.

Distinguish painted decoration from cutting and engraving. Dark lines alone do not establish Schwarzlot, a date or an artist. Comparison with secure museum examples should consider technique, subject and documented provenance together.

Sources: Corning Museum of Glass: Schwarzlot; Corning Museum of Glass: beger 2010.3.143.