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Fragment of mosaic glass

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Image Not Available for Fragment of mosaic glass
Fragment of mosaic glass
Image Not Available for Fragment of mosaic glass

Fragment of mosaic glass

Place of OriginEgypt
Date1st century BCE (Ptolemaic?)
DimensionsMax L: 1 5/8 in. (4.5 cm); Max W: 1 13/16 in. (4.7 cm); Thickness: 3/16 in. (0.5 cm)
Mediumglass
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1923.242
Not on View
DescriptionThis small plaque fragment is composed of fused polychrome mosaic glass, assembled from sections of cane and cast with an applied backing. The ground is pale blue-gray. Floral motifs are arranged across the surface: at the bottom, three circular flowers each with five vertically curving green leaves outlined in opaque yellow, and a green center surrounded by a chain of green rods. Above this are six elongated flowers or leaves in opaque yellow, outlined in opaque white. Flanking them is a motif composed of opaque yellow rods with white outlines, set against a green ground and joined by a curving opaque yellow stem. The upper surface is polished; the backing is obscured by a modern wax layer. Both sides are flat. The object is broken on all sides and has considerable iridesence and weathering.
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. 650, p. 366.

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