This type of fifteenth-century Italian vessel is often called a coppa nuziale (wedding cup) because the imagery of a parade of mythological or allegorical figures relates to the procession that went to fetch a bride and escort her to her new home. Fame, personified here by a female figure, is seated in a cart drawn by two white horses, and she wears a crown and holds a staff. 

The bowl, which was probably originally fitted with a glass cover, is too large for a typical Italian drinking goblet. Instead, it likely served sweetmeats and other confections. Guests would have attended receptions at the home of the bride’s father on the day that wedding rings were exchanged and at the groom’s home after the bride’s ceremonial procession there.

Venice, Italy, Footed Bowl with the Triumph of Fame. Blown, mold-blown, enameled, and gilded glass, about 1475–1500. Height: 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm); diameter of rim: 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm). Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, 1940.119. On view in Glass Pavilion Gallery 4.