Cameo glass

Place of OriginRoman Empire

Date1st century BCE - 4th century CE

DimensionsH: 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); W: 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)

MediumMonochrome glass; mold-pressed and cut.

ClassificationGlass

Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1923.1520

Not on View

DescriptionThis flat plaque fragment is made of opaque cobalt blue glass and was created using mold-pressing and deep cutting techniques. It preserves a theater mask carved in relief, featuring large drilled eyes, a furrowed brow, a prominent hooked nose, a hollowed frowning mouth, and a cleft chin. The hair is arranged in full leonine locks partially covered by a twisted wreath of grape clusters and leaves, with sausage curls falling around the neck. A fillet marks the hairline. This mask is of the same type as seen on objects 1923.1514 and 1923.1674 in the collection.