Rome, Imperial Period, ca. 3rd to 4th century CE. A lovely transparent pale green glass plate, free-blown and of a broad, shallow form with rounded walls on an applied raised concave foot. A prime example of ancient Roman glass boasting an elegant form and in very good overall condition. Size: 5.75" in diameter x 1.625" H (14.6 cm x 4.1 cm)

Widespread from the early Imperial period, glass vessels like this example were mass-produced using the technique of glassblowing; however, they nevertheless show significant variations in shape and color of the glass, making each piece virtually unique. Glassblowing was invented towards the middle of the 1st century BCE in the Syrian-Palestinian region, and eventually spread throughout the Mediterranean basin. This amazing technical innovation transformed the glass industry, because it enabled glassmakers to produce tableware and storage containers in a wider variety - more readily and quickly than ever before. Consequently, glass overtook clay as a raw material for the manufacture of vessels in virtually all arenas of daily life from the late Hellenistic period onward.

For a dish of a similar form, see Corning Museum collection, accession number 77.1.2A

Provenance: ex-private New Jersey, USA collection, acquired over twenty years ago

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#121303

Nice broken pontil scar on bottom. Inherent bubbles created during the glassblowing process.