Dish in the Shape of a Shell

Place of OriginGermany, Cologne

DateProbably first half of 4th century CE

DimensionsH: 5.0 cm (2 in.); Diam: 15.8 cm (6 7/16 in.); Rim Thickness: 0.24 cm (1/8 in.)

MediumTranslucent deep blue glass; blown in an open one-part, cup-shaped mold, tooled

ClassificationGlass

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1981.93

Not on View

DescriptionA mold-blown dish of translucent to opaque deep cobalt blue glass in the form of a stylized scallop shell. The vessel has a shallow, circular body with nineteen tapering ribs radiating from a central ocellus, imitating the fan structure of a bivalve shell. The rim is flared, knocked-off, and lightly ground. The surface exhibits pitting and areas of iridescent weathering, ranging from blue/green to reddish-brown.

Label TextThis striking blue dish imitates the shape of a scallop shell, a popular motif in the ancient world often seen in silver and bronze serving vessels. It was blown into a mold to achieve its ribbed, organic form. While blue glass was common in the 1st century A.D., it became rare in later Roman periods. This vessel, however, comes from a specialized workshop in Cologne (modern Germany) that experienced a revival of colored glass production in the 4th century. It likely served as a luxury item for the dinner table, designed to catch the light and impress guests much like the precious metal vessels it mimicked.Published ReferencesLuckner, Kurt T., "Recent Acquisitions of Ancient Glass at the Toledo Museum of Art," Decorative Arts Society Newsletter, vol. 8, nos. 2 and 3, 1982, p. 10-11.

"Recent Important Acquisitions," Journal of Glass Studies, vol. 24, 1988, repr. p. 88, no. 6.

Grose, David, "The Origins and early history of glass," in The History of Glass, London, 1984, repr. col. p. 33.

Stern, E. Marianne, Roman Mold-blown Glass: The First through Sixth Centuries, no. 137, p. 199-200, colorpl. 20, p. 58.

Page, Jutta-Annette, The Art of Glass: Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, Toledo Museum of Art, 2006, p. 35, repr. (col.) p. 34.