Glass monochrome inlay fragment
Unknown Artist
1st half of 1st century CE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Overall: 2 1/4 x 1 7/8 in. (5.7 x 4.8 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture & Period
Roman · Early Imperial, Julio-Claudian
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
Accession Number
91.1.1638
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass monochrome inlay fragment dating to the first half of the 1st century CE, offers a glimpse into the refined artistry of Early Imperial Rome during the Julio-Claudian (27 BCE–68 CE). just 2¼ x 1⅞ inches (5.7 x 4.8 cm), this small piece was likely part of a larger decorative ensemble, such as furniture, wall panels, or luxury vessels. Roman glassmakers were masters of the craft, producing vibrant monochrome slabs for inlays that added opulent color and sheen to elite interiors. Crafted from molded glass—a technique perfected in the Roman world—this fragment exemplifies the e...