Fragment of a Plate
1st century BCE–1st century CE
Medium
Glass, mosaic glass technique
Dimensions
2.2 × 2.4 × 0.2 cm (7/8 × 15/16 × 1/16 in.)
Classification
fragment
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
67834
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of a plate, crafted by ancient Roman artisans between the 1st century and 1st century, offers a glimpse into the opulent world of Roman luxury goods. Measuring just 2.2 × 2.4 × 0.2 cm, it once formed part of a larger vessel likely used for dining or display among the elite. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium, this piece survives as a testament to the empire's mastery of materials during its expansive golden age. The standout feature is its mosaic glass technique, a sophisticated method where slender canes of colored gl...
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...