Pinhead
Unknown Artist
1st century BCE–5th century CE
Medium
Glass
Dimensions
Height: 1/4 x 5/8 in. (0.6 x 1.6 cm)
Classification
Glass
Culture
Roman
Department
Greek and Roman Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Accession Number
17.194.611
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate "Pinhead," autive glass artifact from ancient Rome, dating to the 1st century BCE through 5th century CE. Measuring just 1/4 by 5/8 inches (0.6 x 1.6 cm), this treasure—likely the head of a decorative pin or brooch—exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Roman glassmakers. Crafted by an unknown artist, it now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Greek and Roman Art Department, generous gift from J.pont Morgan in 191. Roman glass production reached remarkable heights during this era, with techniques like core-forming—winding molten glass around a metal rod—or mold...