Glass mirror with terracotta frame

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Glass mirror with terracotta frame

Place of OriginEgypt or Italy

DatePossibly 4th-6th century

DimensionsL: 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm); Diam (top): 1 1/8 in. (2.8 cm); Max Diam: 2 1/2 in. (6.3 cm);
Thickness: 5/16 in. (1.1 cm)

MediumGlass; tooled; applied decoration

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1230

Not on View

DescriptionThis object, possibly a glass mirror with a terracotta frame, is classified as tooled and decorated glass and may date to the 4th–6th century CE. It is made of solid translucent natural yellowish green glass (between 10 GY 4/4 and 5 G 5/2) with moderate brown coils and a streak in the ring. Blowing spirals are visible. A small pontil mark (approximately 0.75 cm) remains. Four coils were trailed onto the ring-shaped body, circling the middle and either side of the jack mark, from right to left. The object has a long tapering handle with a roughly ovoid finial separated by jacking.