Fragment of a Revetment Depicting Fish Scales
1st century BCE–1st century CE
Medium
Glass, mosaic glass technique
Dimensions
3.5 × 2.2 × 0.3 cm (1 3/8 × 7/8 × 1/8 in.)
Classification
fragment
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
67861
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of revetment, crafted by ancient Roman artisans between the first century BCE and the first century CE, offers a glimpse into the luxurious decorative traditions of the era. Measuring just over an inch across, the piece uses mosaic glass technique to render a shimmering pattern of fish scales. Such revetments were typically applied to walls, furniture, or architectural surfaces in wealthy Roman homes and public spaces, transforming ordinary interiors into vibrant, jewel-like environments that celebrated both nature and craftsmanship. The mosaic glass method involved fus...
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...