Glass portrait head

1st half of 4th century CE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 169

Opaque deep red.
Solid block.
Carved in the round: male head with short wavy hair and fringe across forehead, arched brows, large eyes, and clean shaven face.
Broken, with large unweathered chip in proper right side of face and side of head, and weathered chips to nose, mouth, and chin; green copper weathering surface.

This small portrait head may represent a prince from the family of Constantine I.

Artwork Details

Overview

References

Title: Glass portrait head
Period: Late Imperial, Constantinian
Date: 1st half of 4th century CE
Culture: Roman
Medium: Glass; cast and carved
Dimensions: Height: 1 15/16 in. (5 cm)
Classification: Glass
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.194.1474
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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