Glass mosaic fragment

Unknown

late 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE · Glass · Greek and Roman Art

Thick base fragment, probably from a deep, footed ribbed bowl. Translucent deep purple, cobalt blue, and opaque white. Two layers fused together, forming a convex disk. Exterior layer: ribbon mosaic pattern formed from sections of a single cane in purple ground with white and blue threads in parallel lines; interior layer: spiraling mosaic pattern formed from sections of a single cane in blue ground with white threads. Polished convex exterior; pitting of surface bubbles and weathering in cracks; dulling, creamy weathering, and faint iridescence on exterior and jagged edges. Probably part of a deep ribbed bowl with base ring, but cut down, possibly in antiquity, into a disk.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE

Medium

Glass

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891