Mosaic Glass Fragments
Between 1907 and 1909, the Metropolitan Museum excavated at Ain et-Turba in the Kharga Oasis. Archaeologists found large numbers of glass fragments, many of high quality and expensive manufacture. Hundreds of glass fragments were recovered. The mosaic glasswork technique used on some of the fragments is similar to millefiori, "thousand flowers" in Italian. This method fused tiny rods of colored glass and created flower-like patterns.
In this case are examples of painted glass as well. One shows a tiger attacking an antelope, surrounded by leaves and flowers. No other excavation from this Late Antique Egyptian region contained the amount and quality of glass discovered in Ain et-Turba. In Bagawat, there was evidence that glass like this was placed in the plaster of the tombs’ domes in order to have a glittering effect on the rooms.
In this case are examples of painted glass as well. One shows a tiger attacking an antelope, surrounded by leaves and flowers. No other excavation from this Late Antique Egyptian region contained the amount and quality of glass discovered in Ain et-Turba. In Bagawat, there was evidence that glass like this was placed in the plaster of the tombs’ domes in order to have a glittering effect on the rooms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Mosaic Glass Fragments
- Date: 4th–early 5th century
- Geography: Made in Ain et-Turba, Kharga Oasis, Byzantine Egypt
- Culture: Coptic
- Medium: Glass
- Dimensions: Overall (08.268.22a): 1 x 15/16 x 3/16 in. (2.6 x 2.4 x 0.4 cm)
Storage (petri dish diam.): 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm) - Classification: Glass-Vessels
- Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
- Object Number: 08.268.22a–o
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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Byzantine
5th century
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300–early 400s
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