Cameo Glass Vessel Fragment with Dancing Woman
Cameo Glass Vessel Fragment with Dancing Woman
Place of OriginItaly, probably Rome
Date1st century CE
DimensionsL: 1 5/6 in. (4.0 cm); W: 1 5/8 in. (4.0 cm)
MediumCameo glass.
ClassificationGlass
Credit LineGift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number
1923.1510
Not on View
DescriptionThis thin fragment of cameo glass once formed part of a curved vessel. It is made of opaque white glass layered over translucent manganese-purple glass. The fragment features a carved female figure in motion, possibly a maenad—a follower of the god Dionysus. She dances to the right, with one breast exposed, arms outstretched, and her head turned sharply to the left. Her face is animated, with large eyes and parted lips, and her hair is styled in two topknots. The fine detail and technique suggest it was a luxury item made for elite use. The cameo technique involved carving through layers of differently colored glass to create contrasting imagery in relief.
Label TextThis thin glass fragment once adorned a curved Roman vessel, likely crafted in Rome in the early 1st century CE. Rendered in white on purple cameo glass, it shows a draped female figure—perhaps a maenad—caught in motion. One breast is exposed, arms are outstretched, and her head turns dramatically back. Her large eyes and parted lips animate her expression, while her hair is tied into two topknots. The cameo technique involved layering and carving glass to create richly detailed imagery. This luxury art form was popular in elite Roman circles.2nd-1st century B.C.E.
Early Imperial Period
1st century BCE - 3rd century CE
1st-2nd century CE
1st century BCE - 3rd century CE
1st century CE
Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5, about 2400 BCE.
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