Mosaic Glass Fragments from a Vessel

Unknown

4th–early 5th century · Glass · Medieval Art

Mosaic glass was one of the most highly valued types of luxury glass in the ancient world. It takes its name from the way in which vessels are formed from a mosaic of rods (monochrome segments of glass) and cones (slender rods bundled and fused to form polychrome designs). Between 1907 and 1909, the Metropolitan Museum excavated at Ain et-Turba in the Kharga Oasis. Excavators found large numbers of glass fragments, many of high quality and expensive manufacture.

Artist

Unknown

Date

4th–early 5th century

Medium

Glass

Culture

Coptic

Department

Medieval Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1908