Vase

About this artwork

Most of the glass vessels in this case date from the first century BC to the fourth century AD. Early glass vessels were made in the Middle East and Egypt using the core-forming technique, in which molten glass was poured over a clay core and decorated with threads of colored glass. During the first century AD, Rome became the center of glassmaking, and the invention of blown glass led to new methods, including free-blown glass, which could be decorated by pinching, rolling, or dragging the surf...

Art Historical Context

This elegant vase, part of the Smithsonian American Art's renowned collection of ancient glass vessels (gift of John Gellat), exemplifies the artistry of Roman glassmaking from the first century BC to the fourth century AD Though its exact origins remain unidentified, it belongs to a display case showcasing vessels crafted in the Middle East,, and later Rome—the epicenter of innovation after the invention of glassblowing around the first century AD. techniques like core-forming, where molten glass was draped over a clay core and adorned with colorful threads, gave way to revolutionary blown glass methods. Free-blown vessels could be pinched, rolled, or dragged for texture, while mold-blown pieces took shape in terra-cotta molds. Romans pioneered stratified glass, fusing colored canes (see 1929.8.147.1, .2), and millefiori ("thousand flowers"), slicing fused rods into floral patterns for bowls and cups (see 1929.8.147.13, 1929.8.157.9). Many such vases were buried in wealthy Roman tombs, where centuries of damp soil contact created their signature iridescent sheen (see 1929.8.147.37, 1929.8.157.22). This deterioration, far from a flaw, highlights their journey through time, offering a shimmering window into ancient luxury and craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Unidentified ( ) · –