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Glass weight

1st century CE or later
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171
Translucent turquoise blue.
Solid cylindrical shape; flat top; convex side; bottom slightly concave with projecting pontil scar at center.
Intact, but one small surface chip and crack in side; few bubbles; dulling, creamy weathering, and brilliant iridescence.

This unusual object may be seen as a glass weight. The brilliant turquoise color resembles that of some early Roman glass but it probably belongs to the early Islamic period.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Glass weight
  • Date: 1st century CE or later
  • Culture: Roman (?)
  • Medium: Glass; formed on the pontil rod
  • Dimensions: Height: 4 1/16 in., (10.3 cm)
    Weight: 1.9 lb. (861.8g)
  • Classification: Glass
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Anna Palmer Draper, 1915
  • Object Number: 15.43.143
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art
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