Glass ribbed bowl
Unknown Artist
mid-1st century CE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
H.: 2 9/16 in. (6.5 cm) Diam.: 3 5/8 in. (9.2 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
91.1.1268
Art Historical Context
This delicate glass ribbed bowl, by an unknown Roman artisan in the mid-1st century CE during the Early Imperial period, exemplifies the era's remarkable advancements in glassmaking. Standing just 2 9/16 inches tall and 3 5/8 inches in diameter its petite size made it ideal for serving olives, sweets, or small portions at elite banquets, blending everyday utility with subtle elegance. The ribbed surface—created through innovative mold-blowing techniques—produces a textured, fluted effect that catches the light, highlighting the transparency and clarity of Roman glass, a material prized for its...