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
DescriptionA fragment of a medallion featuring a profile portrait bust of a male figure facing left, likely Emperor Claudius. The carving is detailed, with incised pupils and irises, a short and neatly arranged hairstyle typical of the Julio-Claudian period, and a yellow laurel wreath. The background is heavily pitted and varnished, possibly from past conservation efforts.
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?)
Late 2nd century CE (Antonine or Severan)
1st century CE
1st century CE
1st century CE
1st century CE
1st century CE
1st century BCE - 4th century CE
Second half of the 1st century CE
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