Fragment of Bowl
Unknown Artist
4th–early 5th century
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Storage (petri dish diam.): 5 9/16 in. (14.2 cm)
Classification
Glass-Vessels
Culture
Coptic
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1908
Accession Number
08.268.79
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate fragment of a glass bowl, dating to the 4th–early 5th century, offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of Coptic Egypt during the Late Antique period. Crafted by an unknown artist, it belongs to a tradition of glass vessels that bridged ancient Egyptian craftsmanship with emerging Christian influences. Coptic culture, flourishing in Egypt after the Roman era, produced everyday objects like bowls that were both functional and beautifully made, often reflecting the region's advanced glassmaking techniques such as free-blowing or molding. Glass was a prized medium in Coptic art, va...