Glass hanging lamp
Colorless with pale green tinge; semi translucent cobalt blue blobs and knob.
Slightly everted rim, with ground vertical lip; broad, cylindrical shoulder; funnel-shaped body with slightly convex side; solid knob base.
On body, applied decoration in relief comprising three large oval blobs alternating with three groups of six small oval blobs arranged in a downward-pointing triangular pattern; below rim, a broad horizontal band of lightly-incised lines; at base of shoulder, another broad horizontal band of lightly-incised lines; and on body below blob decoration, a narrow horizontal band of lightly-incised lines.
Complete, except for chip on exterior immediately below rim; few bubbles; slight dulling and pitting, and patches of brownish weathering.
Conical glass vessels decorated with applied blue blobs are known from sites throughout the Empire. Some served as drinking bowls or beakers, but others were used as lamps. This vessel is certainly more appropriate for the latter use, and it would have cast attractive rays of colored light when suspended from the ceiling. Glass hanging lamps became the most popular form of lighting for churches in Byzantine times and were also adopted for use in mosques.
Slightly everted rim, with ground vertical lip; broad, cylindrical shoulder; funnel-shaped body with slightly convex side; solid knob base.
On body, applied decoration in relief comprising three large oval blobs alternating with three groups of six small oval blobs arranged in a downward-pointing triangular pattern; below rim, a broad horizontal band of lightly-incised lines; at base of shoulder, another broad horizontal band of lightly-incised lines; and on body below blob decoration, a narrow horizontal band of lightly-incised lines.
Complete, except for chip on exterior immediately below rim; few bubbles; slight dulling and pitting, and patches of brownish weathering.
Conical glass vessels decorated with applied blue blobs are known from sites throughout the Empire. Some served as drinking bowls or beakers, but others were used as lamps. This vessel is certainly more appropriate for the latter use, and it would have cast attractive rays of colored light when suspended from the ceiling. Glass hanging lamps became the most popular form of lighting for churches in Byzantine times and were also adopted for use in mosques.
Artwork Details
- Title: Glass hanging lamp
- Period: Late Imperial
- Date: 4th century CE
- Culture: Roman
- Medium: Glass; blown, blobbed, and cut
- Dimensions: H.: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Diam.: 3 1/16 in. (7.8 cm) - Classification: Glass
- Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
- Object Number: 17.194.150
- Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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3rd century CE
late 1st–2nd century CE
Ennion
1st half of 1st century CE
ca. 50–80 CE
1st half of 1st century CE
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