Fused Mass of Glass

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Fused Mass of Glass

Place of OriginProbably Italy, most likely found in Rome

DateLate 1st century BCE to early 1st century CE

DimensionsMax H: 1 1/16 in. (2.7 cm); Max Thickness: 1 in. (2.5 cm); Diam: 2 3/8 in. (6.1 cm)

MediumComposite mosaic glass; fused randomly in what appears to have been a small crucible with sides tapering diagonally downward to a flat bottom.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1980.1216

Not on View

DescriptionNumerous polychrome mosaic cane sections or lengths fused together with monochrome opaque segments of glass. Colors include opaque turquoise blue, dark blue, purple streaked with opaque white, golden-brown streaked with opaque white, opaque blue with thin parallel opaque white lines, purple with thin parallel opaque white threads, dark blue, opaque red, green, and pale bluish-green, as well as colorless. Upper surface highly uneven; underside and side edges smooth, reflecting the inner surface of the crucible.

Published ReferencesGrose, David F., Early Ancient Glass: Core-Formed, Rod-Formed, and Cast Vessels and Objects from the Late Bronze Age to the Early Roman Empire, 1600 B.C. to A.D. 50, New York, Hudson Hills Press in association with the Toledo Museum of Art, 1989, cat. no. 681, p. 372.