Gossamer ropes of spun glass entwine to form this amazing model ship from Nevers, one of France's historic glass-making centers. The ship is fashioned entirely of thin strands of glass, from hull to mast, complete with a tiny crewman and figurehead. From the late 16th century through the early 19th century, glassware from Nevers was highly prized and has often been mistaken for fine porcelain. The glass-making tradition was originally brought to the city by Italian settlers from L'Altare. Known as Altarists, these glassmakers were expert craftsmen of crystal and colored glass. Their skills were mainly utilized in the production of tiny figurines of people and farm animals, which were so popular that their production did not cease until the