Mosaic glass rod with a sema tawy sign

Unknown

100 BC–100 AD · Mosaic glass · Egyptian Art

A mosaic glass technique allowed multiples of an image to be created: a figural or design composition was made by bundling colored glass canes, which were then drawn out into a long bar like this partially preserved example. The bar was then sectioned at right angles, probably by being struck with appropriate tools, to produce small inlay tiles. The tile would then be smoothed and polished on the face intended to appear outwards.

Artist

Unknown

Date

100 BC–100 AD

Medium

Mosaic glass

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910