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Roman Gold–Band Glass

• 
  Gold-glass bottles, first half of 1st century A.D.
  Roman
  Glass; H. 2 15/16 in. (7.4 cm); H. 3 3/16 in. (8.1 cm)
  Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915 (30.115.16)
  Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.194.259)
  
• 

  Scyphus, Early Imperial, late 1st century B.C.–early 1st century A.D.
  Roman
  Glass; H. 4 1/2 in. (11.5 cm), W. 9 13/16 in. (25 cm), Diam. 7 1/16 in. (18 cm)
  Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891 (91.1.2053)

• 
  Pyxides, late 1st century B.C.–early 1st century A.D.
  Roman
  Glass; H. 2 15/16 in. (7.4 cm); H. 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
  Fletcher Fund, 1925 (25.78.118)
  Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891 (91.1.1335)
  
• 
  Gold-glass alabastron, 1st century B.C.
  Hellenistic
  Glass; H. 7 1/8 in. (18 cm)
  Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.194.286)
  

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One of the more prominent Roman adaptations of Hellenistic styles of glassware was the transferred use of gold-band glass on shapes and forms previously unknown to the medium. This type of glass is characterized by a strip of gold glass comprised of a layer of gold leaf sandwiched between two layers of colorless glass. Typical color schemes also include green, blue, and purple glasses, usually laid side by side and marbled into an onyx pattern before being cast or blown into shape. While in the Hellenistic period the use of gold-band glass was mostly restricted to the creation of alabastra (17.194.286), the Romans adapted the medium for the creation of a variety of other shapes. Luxury items in gold-band glass include lidded pyxides (25.78.118; 91.1.1335), globular and carinated bottles (30.115.16; 17.194.259), and other more exotic shapes such as saucepans and skyphoi (two-handled cups) of various sizes. The prosperous upper classes of Augustan Rome appreciated this glass for its stylistic value and apparent opulence, and the examples shown here illustrate the elegant effects gold glass can bring to these forms.



The prosperous upper classes of Augustan Rome appreciated this glass for its stylistic value and apparent opulence.

Related

Timelines (5)

• Ancient Greece, 1000 b.c.–1 a.d.
• Egypt, 1000 b.c.–1 a.d.
• Italian Peninsula, 1–500 a.d.
• Italian Peninsula, 1000 b.c.–1 a.d.
• The Eastern Mediterranean, 1000 b.c.–1 a.d.

Primary Thematic Essays (4)

• Augustan Rule (27 B.C.–14 A.D.)
• Enameled and Gilded Glass from Islamic Lands
• Roman Glass
• Roman Luxury Glass

Other Thematic Essays (8)

• Art of the Hellenistic Age and the Hellenistic Tradition
• Glass from Islamic Lands
• List of Rulers of the Roman Empire
• Roman Cameo Glass
• Roman Egypt
• Roman Mold-Blown Glass
• Roman Mosaic and Network Glass
• The Roman Banquet

Maps (3)

• Europe, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D.
• West Asia, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D.
• World, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D.

Index Terms (13)

Art Movement/Style

• Hellenistic Period in Greek Art
• Augustan Art in Ancient Rome

Geography/Place

• Rome (Ancient)

Material and Technique

• Glass from Europe
• Mosaic

Object

• Deep Vessel (Cup or Bowl)
• Deep Vessel from Europe
• Vessel from the Balkan Peninsula
• Vessel from the Italian Peninsula
• Tall Vessel (Vase, Pitcher, or Bottle)
• Tall Vessel from Europe

Subject Matter/Theme

• Archaeology from Europe
• Trade (1000 b.c.–1 a.d.)

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Rosemarie Trentinella Lifchez/Stronach Curatorial Intern, Department of Greek and Roman Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Citation Trentinella, Rosemarie. "Roman Gold-Band Glass". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rgld/hd_rgld.htm (October 2003) Further Reading Harden, Donald B., et al. Glass of the Caesars. Exhibition catalogue. . Milan: Olivetti, 1987. Oliver, Andrew, Jr. "Late Hellenistic Glass in the Metropolitan Museum." Journal of Glass Studies 9 (1967), pp. 13–33.. n/a: n/a, n/a. Stern, E. Marianne, and Birgit Schlick-Nolte Early Glass of the Ancient World, 1600 B.C.–A.D. 50. Ostfildern: Verlag Gerd Hatje, 1994. Related exhibitions and online features Special Exhibitions (including upcoming, current, and past exhibitions)

These related Museum Bulletin or Journal articles may or may not represent the most current scholarship. Caron, Beaudoin "Roman Figure-Engraved Glass in the Metropolitan Museum of Art." Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol. 32 (1997). JSTOR | PDF