Fragment of a Cup
1st century BCE–1st century CE
Medium
Glass, mosaic technique
Dimensions
4.2 × 5 × 1 cm (1 5/8 × 2 × 3/8 in.)
Classification
fragment
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
67636
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Fragment of a Cup* a glimpse into the sophisticated world of ancient Roman glassmaking from the 1st century to 1st century CE.ed using the rare mosaic technique, it features tiny rods of colored glass fused together, sliced thin, and reassembled to create intricate, jewel-like patterns reminiscent of millefiori stonework. Measuring just 4.2 × 5 × 1 cm, this diminutive piece likely came from a small luxury vessel, perfect for intimate banquets or personal use among Rome's elite. The mosaic glass method, perfected during the late Roman Republic and early Empire, showcased artisa...
About the Artist
Ancient Roman
The artists attributed to "Ancient Roman" in museum collections represent the anonymous craftsmen who produced the vast output of sculpture, frescoes, mosaics, and reliefs defining Roman visual culture from the Republic (c. 509–27 BCE) to the late Empire (c. 395 CE). Individual identities remain elusive, as Roman makers were typically viewed as skilled tradesmen—often enslaved Greeks or provincial...