Cameo Glass Portrait of Emperor Claudius
Cameo Glass Portrait of Emperor Claudius
Place of OriginPossibly Italy
Date1st century CE
DimensionsL: 1 3/8 in. (3.3 cm); W: 1 1/4 in. (3.0 cm)
MediumCameo glass, opaque white on transparent purple background.
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1923.1635
Not on View
DescriptionFragment of a circular medallion carved in high relief from layered cameo glass, consisting of an opaque white surface over a translucent deep purple ground. The fragment preserves the left-facing bust of Emperor Claudius, with finely rendered facial features, incised pupils and irises, and a short, neatly arranged hairstyle typical of Julio-Claudian portraiture. A narrow laurel wreath, once yellow-tinted, encircles the crown of his head. The modeling is delicate, with carefully differentiated locks and a softly contoured ear.
Label TextThis finely carved cameo fragment depicts a profile portrait of Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41–54), one of Rome’s early rulers. Fashioned from opaque white glass on a deep purple background, the figure’s short, orderly hair and laurel wreath reflect the imperial portraiture style of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The cameo technique, which layers colored glass, was a luxury craft used for personal adornment and state propaganda.Published ReferencesPuma, Richard Daniel de, Art In Roman Life: Villa to Grave, Rome, L'erma di Bretschneider, 2009, p. 118, p. 122, no. 160, repr. (col.) p. 121, fig. 78.
mid-2nd to early 3rd century CE (Severan?)
19th century?
Perhaps late first or 2nd century
Late 2nd century CE (Antonine or Severan)
Late 2nd to early 3rd century CE
Late 19th century
1st century BCE - 4th century CE
1st century BCE - 1st century CE
Roman or 19th century?
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