Mosaic Glass Fragments from a Vessel

4th–early 5th century

Not on view

Mosaic glass was one of the most highly valued types of luxury glass in the ancient world. It takes its name from the way in which vessels are formed from a mosaic of rods (monochrome segments of glass) and cones (slender rods bundled and fused to form polychrome designs).

Between 1907 and 1909, the Metropolitan Museum excavated at Ain et-Turba in the Kharga Oasis. Excavators found large numbers of glass fragments, many of high quality and expensive manufacture.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Mosaic Glass Fragments from a Vessel
Date: 4th–early 5th century
Geography: Made in Ain et-Turba, Kharga Oasis, Byzantine Egypt
Culture: Coptic
Medium: Glass
Dimensions: Overall (08.268.17a): 1 15/16 x 2 1/16 x 3/8 in. (4.9 x 5.2 x 1 cm)
Storage (petri dish diam.): 2 3/8 in. (6.1 cm)
Classification: Glass-Vessels
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
Object Number: 08.268.17a–k
Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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