Glass mosaic inlay fragment
Unknown Artist
late 1st century BCE–early 1st century CE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Other: 15/16 x 1 9/16 in. (2.3 x 4 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture & Period
Roman · Early Imperial
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
91.1.1804
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass mosaic inlay fragment dating to the late 1st BCE through the early 1st CE, offers a glimpse into the opulent world of Early Imperial Rome. Created during the transition from Republic to Empire—around the era of Augustus—this tiny piece (just 2.3 x 4 cm) likely adorned luxury furniture, vessels, or architectural elements. Roman artisans excelled in such intricate work, using glass to mimic the sparkle of gemstones at a fraction of the cost, making high-end decoration more accessible to the elite. The technique of glass mosaic inlay involved cutting and shaping colorful glas...