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Glass spindle whorl

ca. 1st–2nd century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Translucent cobalt blue, with opaque white trail.
Tall, domed body; flat bottom; vertical hole, larger on bottom.
Trail applied to upper surface and tooled with seven unevenly spaced downward strokes to form feather pattern.
Intact but chips on lower edge and bottom; some dulling, pitting, and faint iridescent weathering.
Made by winding trail in a spiral around rod.

Black opaque spindle-whorl with white glass thread pattern.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass spindle whorl
  • Period: Early to Mid Imperial
  • Date: ca. 1st–2nd century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Glass; rod-formed, trailed, and tooled
  • Dimensions: Overall: 3/8 x 7/8in. (1 x 2.2cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: The Cesnola Collection, Purchased by subscription, 1874–76
  • Object Number: 74.51.334
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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