Glass cameo plaque fragment

1st century CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 166
Translucent deep purple with opaque white overlay.

Flat underside; slightly undulating surface with relief decoration; small section of left edge with rounded upper lip.

In relief in white, head of figure turned to left, with long wavy hair concealing proper left ear, wearing tunic in broad bands over shoulders; behind proper left shoulder part of unidentified object; to left of figure, part of a long staff.

Broken on three sides with weathered edges; many internal strain cracks; dulling, slight pitting, patches of thick black weathering and brilliant iridescence.

The bust, previously described as that of a clean-shaven man, may represent a woman or goddess. If the object behind her left shoulder is a bow or quiver, the figure could even be identified as Artemis (Diana).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass cameo plaque fragment
  • Period: Early Imperial
  • Date: 1st century CE
  • Culture: Roman
  • Medium: Glass; cast and cut
  • Dimensions: Overall: 1/4 x 2 3/8 in. (0.7 x 6 cm)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.194.364
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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