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
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
In ancient Rome, there was a high demand for colorful glass that could dazzle banquet guests alongside the expensive silver and gold serving wares meant to impress. Fragments like this one would have once been a part of larger mosaic dishes. The mosaic pattern was made by sagging molten glass into bowl-shaped molds, a technique used on many of these fragments is similar to millefiori, “thousand flowers” in Italian, a modern glass-making method in which tiny rods of colored glass are bundled toge...
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 glass were fused, patterned, and sliced thin to create vibrant, intricate designs. Romans perfected this from earlier Hellenistic traditions, elevating glass from everyday utility to high art. Such plates shimmered with jewel-like colors, symbolizing wealth and refinement in Roman households. Though only a fragment, it highlights the technical prowess and cultural value of Roman glassmaking—exported across the empire and prized by collectors today. Imagine the flicker of oil lamps dancing on its surface during a lavish banquet!
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...